Body Found in Truck in Nacogdoches; Two in Custody

NACOGDOCHES — The victim in a Nacogdoches homicide case has been identified as Gilbert Joseph Thibodeaux, 32, of Nacogdoches. According to KETK, police say the homicide happened sometime Monday night. At 11:18 p.m., officers responded to a suspicious person call at Nacogdoches Floral Company on North Street. A man and woman were observed placing some items in the dumpster outside the business and leaving the scene in a pickup truck. After checking the dumpster, officers found some items that appeared to have blood on them.

A description of the truck was obtained and a search was launched. Shortly after 1:00 Tuesday morning, a Nacogdoches Police Officer on patrol located the truck in the parking lot of Walgreens, located at North Street and East Austin. Upon checking the vehicle, officers located Thibodeaux’s body inside the vehicle. The deceased appeared to be the victim of an assault. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation led officers to a residence in the 300 block of Myrtle Street. At the residence, officers found evidence of an assault in the driveway. Officers have two suspects in custody: Erin Leann Belz, 26, and Randy Ellinwood, 31, both of Nacogdoches. The investigation indicates that the victim and the suspects were acquainted, and that the victim went to the Myrtle Street address where he was assaulted. It is believed that the suspects drove the victim to Walgreens parking lot. The pickup truck involved belongs to the victim. The investigation is continuing in the case at this time.