Lake Charles, LA – A Louisiana man is on trial after allegedly killing a 72-year-old woman and driving around with her decomposing body in her SUV for nearly 30 days, while using her identity to take out loans, authorities said. Christopher Talton Cater, 43, faces charges of first-degree murder, identity theft, and unlawful disposal of human remains, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Discovery of the Victim
On Aug. 21, 2023, detectives located the missing woman’s SUV in the Prien Lake Mall parking lot in Lake Charles. Inside was the body of Sheila Ortega, 72, who had been reported missing the previous day by her family after going uncontacted for roughly a month. Cater was arrested nearby at a local business.
Authorities said Cater had been on their radar the night before after a traffic stop, during which he falsely claimed Ortega was staying with friends in Arkansas. No signs of wrongdoing were noted, and he was released. The following day, a different deputy found Ortega’s long-deceased body and obtained a search warrant.
Cater’s Alleged Admissions
According to the sheriff’s office, Cater admitted to detectives that he killed Ortega on July 21, 2023, and subsequently used her personal information to open multiple loans. Prosecutors presented evidence that Cater had searched online for information on disposing of a body and the insanity plea after the killing.
“When detectives spoke with Cater he advised deputies he killed Ortega approximately one month ago,” officials said.
Trial Testimony and Evidence
During the first day of trial, jurors heard from multiple law enforcement officers and witnesses:
- Deputies explained how a license plate reader helped locate the SUV at the mall.
- A detective waited over an hour outside the vehicle before obtaining a search warrant after detecting the odor of a decomposing body.
- Cater was found later at a local bar, reportedly saying: “Y’all must be looking for me.”
Cater also admitted in an interrogation video that he and Ortega had been drinking together the night of her death. He claimed she reached for his groin, causing him to snap, black out, and awaken to find her beaten.
Medical testimony revealed Ortega suffered bone fractures in her spine, neck, and face, likely from three separate impacts.
Witness Accounts
A former coworker testified that Cater stayed at her home during summer 2023 while occasionally borrowing money. She also said Cater avoided the SUV, warning: “That’s my sister’s car. Don’t go by it. She got dogs. It stinks.”
A bartender testified that Cater used Ortega’s credit card on two occasions, and each time carried a “stench unlike anything I’d ever smelled”.
Legal Charges and Implications
Cater is charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Identity theft
- Unlawful disposal of human remains
The case illustrates premeditation, exploitation of identity theft, and concealment of a crime, with prosecutors emphasizing Cater’s calculated actions to hide the murder while financially benefiting from the victim.
Conclusion
The trial continues in Calcasieu Parish, with authorities presenting evidence of Cater’s online research, admissions, and physical actions in committing the crime. The case has shocked the community due to its gruesome nature and extended concealment of the victim’s body.
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