Donielle Connerly, a 39-year-old Black woman and mother of four, was found dead in the waters of Bayou St. John near the 4000 block of Davey Street in the early hours of January 23, 2017. New Orleans Police reported she had a stocking tied tightly around her neck, and her death was classified as a homicide.

Her family held a candlelight vigil and described her as a vibrant, loving presence; her mother Mattie Lyons and aunt Joyce Recasner publicly appealed for information. The New Orleans Police Department has continued the investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, and identified persons of interest, but no suspects have been publicly named and no arrests have been announced.

If anyone has information about Donielle Connerly’s death, please contact the New Orleans Police Department to help her family find answers.