David Charles Matte
Case Number:
Not publicly available
Case Status:
Unsolved — LE confirmation pending
Date of Birth:
10/16/1958 (45 yo)
Date of Death:
07/20/2004
Date Discovered:
07/20/2004
Cause of Death:
Blunt-force trauma
Location:
Near mile marker 95 on I-10, roughly 50 feet inside Lafayette Parish
Agency:
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office – 337.232.9211
Tip Line:
Lafayette Crime Stoppers - 337.232.8477
Background
David Charles Matte was born on 10/16/1958, in Ville Platte to John and Ursula Bordelon Matte. He had three siblings: John, James, and Lori Ann.
At the time of his death, David lived on Soileau Road in Acadia Parish, and worked as an auto body repairman.
He was interred at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery in Ville Platte, LA.
Case Summary
During the early morning hours of 07/20/2004, Louisiana State Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked along Interstate 10 near the Acadia-Lafayette Parish line. A responding trooper found David’s body behind his blue 2002 Dodge Dakota, near mile marker 95, roughly 50 feet inside Lafayette Parish. Two of the truck’s tires were blown out, while his wallet and personal belongings remained untouched.
An autopsy determined that David died from blunt-force trauma to the head. The Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office concluded that his injuries were consistent with an assault, and his death was classified as a homicide.
As investigators worked to reconstruct the hours preceding David’s death, they identified a critical three-hour gap. His whereabouts between approximately 10:00 pm on 07/19/2004 and 1:00 am on 07/20/2004 remain unknown. The investigation also focused on activity near the Highway 343 overpass.
Suspects/Persons of Interest
Early in the investigation, authorities sought to identify two men reportedly seen near David and his truck around 12:10 am on 07/20/2004.
One man was described as having a dark complexion, possibly being in his 30s, approximately 5’6″ and 200 pounds, with long black hair. The second was described as having a dark complexion, approximately 6’1, with a slim build and short black hair.
On 08/09/2004, investigators released a composite sketch of the first man. A witness reported seeing one of the men near the passenger side of David’s truck and the other near a white 1996 or 1997 Chevrolet extended-cab pickup with tinted rear windows that was parked in front of David’s vehicle.
Several persons of interest were identified and interviewed over the years, but none were publicly named or arrested.
Timeline
| 07/19/2004 – 10:00 pm | Beginning of period in which David’s whereabouts are unknown. |
| 07/20/2004 – about 12:10 am | Witness saw David and two unidentified men near his truck along I-10. |
| 07/20/2004 – about 1:00 am | Body discovered near his truck along eastbound I-10. |
Limited Information – Can You Help?
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Research Notes
This profile will be updated as requested public records are received.
Sources
- The Daily Star (Hammond), “Police investigating death of Acadia man,” 07/21/2004.
- The Daily Iberian (New Iberia), “Man’s body found near his pickup truck,” 07/21/2004
- The Ville Platte Gazette, “LPSO investigating death of David Matte,” 07/22/2004
- The Ville Platte Gazette, obituary for David Charles Matte, 07/25/2004.
- The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette), “Sketch released in Matte slaying,” 08/10/2004.
- The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette), “Family seeks answers,” October 11, 2006.
- KATC News, “Family seeks answers in unsolved homicide 20 years later,” 02/28/2025.
rev 08/26/26