Brandon Lavergne, Charged With Murder Of Mickey Shunick, Lisa Ann Pate, May Face Death Penalty

Man Charged With Murdering Missing Student May Face Death Penalty
This undated photo provided by St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office shows Brandon Scott Lavergne. Lavergne, a registered sex offender, has been booked on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance last May of a Louisiana college student, authorities said. (AP Photo/St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office
This undated photo provided by St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office shows Brandon Scott Lavergne. Lavergne, a registered sex offender, has been booked on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance last May of a Louisiana college student, authorities said. (AP Photo/St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office

Prosecutors say they're seeking the death penalty for a registered sex offender accused of murdering two women in Louisiana.

Brandon S. Lavergne, 33, is charged with murder in the May disappearance of 22-year-old Michaela "Mickey" Shunick, as well as in the 1999 death of Lisa Ann Pate. Lavergne is also suspected of moving both bodies, according to the Associated Press.

Shunick, a 22-year-old anthropology major at the University of Lousiana, was last seen around 2 am on May 19, bicycling home after visiting a friend. Authorities believe that Shunick was murdered, though her body has not yet been found.

In July, Lavergne was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping and murder after police identified him as the driver of a pick-up truck that had tailed Shunick.

In surprising development, prosecutors also charged him with murdering 35-year-old Pate, who was reported missing 13 years ago and later found buried beneath boards in a field.

Now, state prosecutors say they are planning to seek the death penalty against Lavergne, according to documents submitted on Thursday. Prosecuting attorney Keith Stutes also intends to establish that the defendant has a pattern of criminal behavior, KLFY reports.

After being convicted of oral sex battery in 1999, Lavergne allegedly attempted to conceal his sex offender status on multiple occasions.

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Mickey Shunick

Mickey Shunick

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