Covington, Louisiana — A St. Tammany Parish jury swiftly found 23-year-old Alvin Laurant Jr. guilty of second-degree murder in the overdose death of a 15-year-old girl. The verdict came just 35 minutes into deliberations on May 8, 2025, stemming from a fatal incident involving fentanyl in July 2022.
This case previously saw an inconclusive trial in February, where a single juror’s hesitation led to a hung jury despite eleven members favoring conviction. Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Gary Tromblay represented the prosecution in both trials, with Judge Tara Zeller overseeing the proceedings. The investigation was led by Detective Matthew Morrison from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On July 12, 2022, emergency responders arrived at a residence in Bush, Louisiana, after a report of an unresponsive girl. Upon arrival, they discovered Felisia Grantham’s lifeless body on the floor, prompting immediate suspicion due to the presence of illicit substances and paraphernalia in the vicinity. Resuscitation efforts proved futile, leading to a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Authorities seized several blue pills and drug-related items from the scene. Laboratory tests confirmed the pills were laced with fentanyl, a potent opioid linked to numerous overdose fatalities. An autopsy revealed that Grantham’s system contained 13 times the lethal dose of fentanyl.
Investigators traced text messages from Grantham’s phone that showed she had arranged to obtain the fatal dose from Laurant on the day of her death. Under questioning, Grantham admitted to her role in acquiring the drug, ultimately leading to Laurant’s arrest on a second-degree murder charge.
Laurant was located and arrested by U.S. Marshals and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. During questioning, he acknowledged selling pills to two women, though he denied they included a minor. A search of his home yielded more similar pills and electronic devices, including his cellphone.
Prosecutors presented extensive evidence obtained from Laurant’s phone, including internet searches for local news and overdose reports conducted shortly after Grantham’s death. The investigation uncovered a series of calls between Laurant and Grantham on July 12 and several photographs showcasing Laurant with cash and drugs, along with a video posted just hours after the overdose.
In closing arguments, prosecutors emphasized Laurant’s indifference to the young girl’s life, characterizing him as a “poison-pusher” who prioritized profit over safety. Judge Zeller is set to sentence Laurant on June 18, 2025, where a life sentence is mandated for second-degree murder convictions.
Felisia Grantham’s accomplice, who was also charged in connection with the case, was sentenced to life in prison in April 2025 for her role in the drug distribution. District Attorney Collin Sims warned that drug dealers and their associates should anticipate severe consequences if they endanger young lives with illicit substances.
The details surrounding this tragic case highlight the ongoing opioid crisis affecting communities across the nation, underscoring a pressing need for change in addressing drug-related offenses.
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