A Crowley native was found stabbed to death in his New Orleans apartment, now the community he served in Acadia Parish for more than 20 years is mourning the loss. Police found the body of 51-year-old Noah Stoute in his apartment Tuesday. However, police believe he was murdered a week prior, on August 28th, as Hurricane Isaac approached Louisiana's coast. His apartment was located on the grounds of Mothe Funeral Home in New Orleans where he worked.
"It's horrible, our family's in shock, it's not right for any man to die that way," said Stoute's nephew, Glenn Boullion.
Jefferson Parish deputies arrested Alfred Scott this week and charged him with second degree murder. Deputies said Scott confessed to killing Stoute, stealing some of his belongings and setting his car on fire.
While the motive for the murder is still unclear, Stoute's relatives and friends are shocked and saddened by his death.
Born and raised in Crowley, Stoute made a life and career out of helping people. He served as a funeral director at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home and assistant coroner in Acadia Parish.
"He really went out of way his way to make families comfortable during a rough time," said Boullion.
Stoute worked at Geesey-Ferguson for more than 20 years, and even though he left for New Orleans in the early 2000's, he remained an active part of the community.
"He would call me and ask me after years after he left he would call me and ask me about families and cases so he really kept in touch and just devastated that we lost him," said Acadia Parish Coroner, Dr. Mark Dawson.
Perhaps most devastated is his close relative, Boullion.
"Noah and I grew up as brothers almost, he was my uncle but yet we were four years apart. We have a small family so everything we did was together," said Boullion.
They went to Crowley High School together and then worked at Geesey-Ferguson together. Boullion said Stoute taught him everything about being a funeral director.
"He probably saved me," said Boullion. "He was a big influence when I didn't have much direction about what to do with my future, he gave me a path and it's been a good path."
But Stoute's path took an unexpected turn - one his family is still trying to come to grips with.
"He was a gentle man, I don't think he ever harmed anyone," said Boullion.
Mothe Funeral Home in New Orleans will hold services this week and then Stoute will be brought back to Crowley for funeral services and burial next week.