A 19-year-old woman from New Iberia, Louisiana, was tragically linked to a 29-year-old man she reportedly met on the internet. Sheryl M. Turner was last seen on Dec. 31, 2023, when she visited Anthony Pierce Holland Jr.’s residence in West Monroe, as stated in a press release by the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Department on April 24, per PEOPLE. 

Turner and Holland Jr. had a romantic relationship through text messages. Before leaving home, Turner informed her family that she would be staying with him, as stated in a press release by the West Monroe Police Department, who worked with Catahoula authorities. “Turner’s phone was connected to wifi near Holland Jr.’s phone until it stopped transmitting on the night of Jan. 2,” according to KLFY-TV, reports PEOPLE. Her twin sister, Sherry, reported her missing on Jan. 3 and expressed concern as the days went by.

Sheryl M. Turner’s body discovered

On Jan. 24, practically three weeks later, the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a body discovered floating in the Ouachita River.

The West Monroe Police Department revealed, “Deputies recovered the body, and the remains were found to be only a torso. There was no head or extremities connected to the body. The remains were sent for an autopsy and the findings led to the case being listed as a homicide.” 

Using a DNA sample from Sherry, Sheryl’s twin sister, the remains were confirmed to be Sheryl’s on Feb. 23rd. Based on

“forensic data and surveillance,”

Holland Jr. became a suspect. The West Monroe Police Department searched his home on April 23rd.

“During the search warrants at Holland’s home, forensic evidence of a crime of violence was obtained. During subsequent interviews with Holland, he admitted to killing Turner inside his residence,”

said the press release. 

Holland Jr. was apprehended without any problems and is now in custody. The department charged him with Second-Degree Murder.