7-year-old’s murder rocks Thibodaux

A 30-year-old Thibodaux man is in police custody after he confessed to decapitating and dismembering his 7-year-old son, who was afflicted with cerebral palsy, according to Thibodaux Police.

Jeremiah Wright, 414 W. Seventh St., Thibodaux, was found standing near the porch railing of his home Sunday afternoon overlooking the white plastic bags that contained Jori Lirette’s body, Police Chief Scott Silverii said Monday.

Just a few feet away laid the boy’s head, separate from the bags and exposed on the street’s gravel shoulder, Silverii said.

After first telling police the head was part of a “CPR dummy,” Wright cooperated when police took him into custody, confessing to murdering Jori about 30 minutes later in an “emotionless, non-confrontational and stoic” manner, Silverii said.

The preliminary autopsy report conducted by the Lafourche Coroner’s Office lists the cause of death as “blunt force trauma to the head, with extensive bleeding to the right side of the brain, decapitation and dismemberment,” Silverii said.

Jori’s cerebral palsy, family members and acquaintances say, prevented him from speaking except for a few words, but his sweet demeanor was portrayed through his everlasting smile and bright facial expressions.

The boy’s remains have been transported to the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office for a final examination, Silverii said.

Until the final coroner’s report comes back, the chronology of the attack is unknown, authorities said.

Police recovered several “work tools” that may have been used as weapons, but the department is not releasing specific information until the coroner’s report is finalized, Silverii said.

The crime was committed inside the family’s rented, blue wood-frame home at the corner of West Seventh and Church streets, according to the police chief.

Blood spatter analysis and a forensic investigation indicated there may have been an attempt to clean up the kitchen, where police believe the murder took place, Silverii said.

“Other than the kitchen sink area, I think he had made an attempt to clean up the crime scene,” Silverii said.

The sink was among evidence taken from the home and shipped to the State Police Crime Lab in Baton Rouge.

Wright’s hands were free of blood, and his clothes have been confiscated for evidence, Silverii said.

Wright did not offer insight as to why he killed Jori or put the boy’s head on public display, according to the police chief.

Wright was charged with first-degree murder. He is being held in isolation on a $5 million bond at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center, police said.

A witness contacted authorities at about 12:15 p.m. on Sunday and reported seeing what appeared to be a human head near the corner of West Seventh and Church streets, Silverii said.

Thibodaux Police responded to a non-violent domestic complaint at the same address nearly a month ago, Silverii said. “It was a verbal confrontation, I believe, over money, but there was no physical violence involved in the altercation.”

Wright was arrested on a simple burglary charge in 2004 and later pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of theft, according to court records.

Wright was placed on unsupervised probation and was later ordered to serve 10 days in jail after he failed to meet a 96-hour community service stipulation, records show.

He was also arrested once for possession of marijuana, TPD spokesman Det. Ricky Ross said, and records show several traffic violations since 2001.

“We weren’t able to identify anything of violence, any criminal behavior of violence,” Silverii said.

Answering a question about reports that indicate a potential mental illness, Silverii said: “At this time, we’ve encountered nothing to show that he was an emotionally disturbed person. Again, we just effected the arrest late last night. We’re starting what is going to be a very thorough and comprehensive investigation into his background, past behaviors, associates, friends, workers, co-workers.”

A graduate of Thibodaux High School, Wright served nine years in the U.S. military before he was honorably discharged from the National Guard in 2009, police said.

Jesslyn Lirette, Jori’s mother, and Wright both said he was the child’s father, Silverii said, but police will investigate the matter further as to whether or not it is a biological relationship.

“He was a very important person in my life; maybe the best thing that ever happened to me,” Lirette, 27, said of her son. “He has touched so many people in this community, from school to my friends and my family.

“He was a very friendly child. He was not shy to strangers. He always smiled. He was happy in life. He will be missed sadly and deeply by all his friends, by all of my friends, by all of my family and myself. He was my star.”

The Associated Press reported Monday that tension existed between Jori’s mother and Wright. Police would not confirm the report, saying they are still researching Wright’s background.

“It’s startling,” a person familiar with both parties, who requested not to be named, told the Tri-Parish Times. “No way I expected this. I understand that they were having some problems, but not as far for [the conflict] to go this far.”

As the first reported homicide in the City of Thibodaux since 2008, the death of Jori Lirette shocked citizens.

A steady stream of traffic motored along the scene Monday. Some people stopped and contributed to a memorial of stuffed animals and letters around a lighted candle at the base of the house’s porch.

Others watched the steady stream of video cameras and the photographing press as they drove along and waited at a four-way stop sign that was consistently two-deep.

A neighbor across the street couldn’t fathom driving by the house. Enola Boudreaux, who lives on Church Street, said she didn’t know the family, but she’s still shaken by Sunday’s homicide.

“I can’t even pass over there,” Boudreaux said. “It’s horrible.”

Boudreaux has lived at the same house for 47 years and said the only incident in the immediate area that even compares to Jori’s death in terms of impact was the murder of the Rev. Hunter Horgan at St. John’s Episcopal Church 19 years ago.

“It shows that we’re not immune from those kind of incidents, even a heinous crime like that,” Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete said. “If there’s anything positive that will come out of it, it’s usually that a community will rally around the family and friends of the individual and support them as much as they’re doing. That’s what Thibodaux is all about.”

The Lafourche Parish School Board made grief counselors available Monday to faculty, staff and students at South Thibodaux Elementary School, which Jori had attended since pre-kindergarten.

“This is a horrific situation for us,” said JoAnn Matthews, superintendent of Lafourche Parish Public Schools. “Many lives have been touched by [Jori], as well as many of our employees have touched his life. It echoes throughout our school system, and our prayers, our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

Diane Smith is in her seventh year as principal at South Thibodaux Elementary. She said she didn’t think the students knew of their classmate’s death on Monday, but said it was a “somber” atmosphere among the faculty.

“Everybody kind of looked at you with empty eyes,” Smith said. “Everybody on the faculty knew.

“He was a sweet kid. Of course, you could only tell by his face and his emotions. Unfortunately, he couldn’t speak. It was just learning words. He smiled. He was happy to be at school.”

Smith said she was fortunate to meet with Jori on Thursday and Friday.

“He couldn’t respond, but at least he knew that we felt happy that he was back at school,” Smith said.

Thibodaux Police spokesman Det. Ricky Ross (left) and Police Chief Scott Silverii flank Jesslyn Lirette as she addresses gathered media at TPD headquarters Monday regarding the brutal death of her 7-year-old son, Jori. ERIC BESSON