Rachel Ann Sonnier Leach

Date of Birth: 02/07/1966
Age: 20
Date of Death: 06/08/1986
Date Discovered: 06/08/1986
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds
Location: D&B Handy Mart, Louisiana Highway 6 West, Many, Louisiana
Case Status: Unsolved
Investigating Agencies: Many Police Department; Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office
Contact: (318) 256-5617 | (318) 590-9475

Background

Rachel Ann Sonnier Leach was born on 02/07/1966 in Cass County, Texas, to Charlie Otis Sonnier and Rebecca Lynn Lummus. She attended Negreet High School in Negreet, Louisiana, in 1982 and 1983.

Rachel lived in Many, Louisiana, where she worked as a convenience store clerk. She was married and expecting her first child at the time of her death.

Rachel was interred at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Case Summary

On 06/08/1986, Rachel was working at D&B Handy Mart on Louisiana Highway 6 west of Many when the store was robbed shortly after 7:00 p.m. She was stabbed multiple times and died at the scene. An undetermined amount of money was taken from the cash register.

The investigation initially focused on three men who had escaped from an Alabama jail and were subsequently arrested in Arizona. After questioning the men and reviewing the evidence, investigators ruled out their involvement.

In August 1986, a $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Authorities believed individuals in the community might have information that could help identify Rachel’s killer.

The Many Police Department and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office renewed their public appeal for information in April 2017.

On 01/04/2022, Rachel’s remains were exhumed from Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery in an effort to recover additional forensic evidence. The examination was coordinated by Sabine Parish Coroner Dr. Mark Holder and forensic pathologist Dr. James Traylor. Additional DNA evidence was recovered, and investigators sought to reexamine previously collected fingerprint and hair evidence using advances in forensic technology.

The renewed investigation involved the Many Police Department, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sabine Parish District Attorney’s Office, Coroner’s Office, and Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Investigators confirmed that they had developed suspects but did not publicly identify them.

Suspects/Persons of Interest

Three men questioned shortly after the murder were ruled out as suspects in June 1986.

In January 2022, Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooley confirmed that investigators had suspects in the case. No suspects or persons of interest were publicly identified.

Timeline

– 06/08/1986: Fatal stabbing during a robbery at D&B Handy Mart.
– 06/17/1986: Three men ruled out as suspects.
– 01/04/2022: Remains exhumed for additional forensic testing.

Research Notes

Published accounts contain conflicting information regarding Rachel’s pregnancy. An August 1986 newspaper report described her as four months pregnant, while the 2017 law enforcement release and January 2022 reporting described her as eight months pregnant. The available materials do not resolve this discrepancy.

Sources

– Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Birth Indexes, Rachel Ann Sonnier, February 7, 1966, accessed through Ancestry.
– Negreet High School, 1982 Yearbook, Rachel Sonnier, accessed through Ancestry.
– Negreet High School, 1983 Yearbook, Rachel Sonnier, accessed through Ancestry.
– The Times, “Clerk killed in Many robbery,” June 10, 1986.
– The Shreveport Journal, “Deaths,” June 10, 1986.
– The Times, “3 sought in Many slaying,” June 11, 1986.
– The Times, “Arizona police arrest 3 sought in Many slaying,” June 12, 1986.
– The Times, “3 ruled out as Many suspects,” June 17, 1986.
– The Times, “Reward posted in Sabine case,” August 8, 1986.
– Sabine Parish Journal, “Officials ask for information regarding cold case,” April 19, 2017.
– BDC Radio, Robert Gentry, “Observations,” January 5, 2022.
– KTBS, Vickie Welborn, “Sabine murder victim’s body exhumed after 35 years,” January 5, 2022.
– KTAL, Jacque Jovic, “Many Police Department reopens decades-old cold case,” January 5, 2022.