BATON ROUGE, LA – A Baton Rouge man faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly confessing to killing his stepfather in a series of voice messages sent to his brother on social media, authorities said.
Ian Seghers, 34, reportedly admitted to the crime in the recordings, detailing how he took a hammer to dispatch the victim, Walter Rowland, 66, according to local law enforcement. The chilling messages were sent to Seghers’ brother, Sean Crawford, who eventually turned them over to the police.
The tragedy unfolded around March 9, the date Rowland was reported missing after failing to show up for a routine visit with his sister. Despite extensive searches, his body remains undiscovered.
According to an arrest affidavit, Seghers and Rowland shared a fraught relationship, which investigators believe culminated in the fatal encounter. The arrest warrant claims the suspect sought assistance for cleaning up the crime scene, suggesting he faced difficulties in covering his tracks.
The recordings reveal Seghers complaining about the aftermath, mentioning the need to remove carpets due to the mess. These admissions became crucial evidence leading to his arrest, corroborated by blood traces and spatter found at the residence, despite Seghers’ attempts to clean up.
Crawford, the recipient of the damning recordings, expressed mixed feelings about reporting his brother. He admitted to feeling guilty but recognized that staying silent would have been wrong.
Investigators allege that Seghers fled to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, following the killing, using Rowland’s truck as his getaway vehicle. He was apprehended by authorities on March 22.
Despite the absence of Rowland’s body, law enforcement officials insist they have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely from the Baton Rouge Police Department remarked on their capacity to detect remnants of the crime scene, providing strong grounds for the charges.
Seghers remains in custody as the investigation continues, with no further comments from the Baton Rouge Police Department available at this time.
