Early on the morning of Friday, December 22, deputies of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased female body near an apartment complex on Highway 28 East in Leesville.

Upon arrival, detectives found the body of 40-year-old Tamika Cannon of Leesville. Deputies canvassing the area learned that Cannon’s estranged husband also lived in the apartment complex: 44-year-old Ozell Craft, Sr. of Leesville. Later Friday morning, authorities learned Craft had gone to a relative’s home in Chicot County, Arkansas.

A warrant was obtained for Craft as VPSO detectives worked with their Arkansas counterparts to take him into custody without incident. Craft was transported to the Lake Village Jail in Lake Village, Arkansas, where he signed a waiver of extradition and will be transported back to Vernon Parish. The investigation is ongoing.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.