Kori Gauthier: LSU Student Goes Missing Atop Mississippi River Bridge
Kori Gauthier.of Opelousas, Louisiana, an LSU freshman, was last seen on Tuesday, April 6 a short time before her vehicle was found just across the Mississippi River bridge.
Kori Gauthier of Opelousas, Louisiana, was a bright LSU student who went missing in early April 2021 while crossing a bridge atop the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and Port Allen, Louisiana.
St. John the Baptist Parish law enforcement officials announced on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 that a body had been found in the river.
”A body has been recovered in the Mississippi River and identification is pending,” LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard told reporters. “LSU Police are in contact and working with the authorities in St. John the Baptist Parish.”
The next day, police confirmed that the body was that of Kori.
Kori, 18, was last seen on Tuesday, April 6 just before her running vehicle was found on Interstate 10. It had been crashed into by another vehicle. Police determined that the crash occurred after Kori had exited the vehicle.
Police have said that they do not suspect foul play.
According to local reports, the last person to see her was her boyfriend, whom she had "got into an argument” with.
Since Kori’s disappearance, the LSU community as well as hundreds of residents of Acadiana have shown their support.
Kori’s uncle went on social media to thank those that supported his family and that of his niece.
Kori’s father Levar Gauthier says that he is thankful that so many have rallied around the family.
"This one reason why it's always hard for people to leave Opelousas because in times of tragedy or in times of need people always step up here and I am overjoyed and I'm full of love for my city because they are out for my daughter,” he told TV station KATC.
Gauthier says he isn’t going to give up hope now. “"My daughter is special and this is just one testament to her and wherever she is I hope she hears all of this and this lets her know that she is special and she can return home to us,” said Gauthier.
