LA LA - Gerald Daigle, 60, Houma, 15 June 1989

During the evening hours of June 15th 1989, Gerald E. Daigle was found deceased inside the Standard Furniture Company; a store that he owned. He had been stabbed multiple times (one source says as many as 43) during an apparent robbery. A pair of sunglasses with a partial fingerprint and a shoe print from the killer were discovered at the scene. The case remained unsolved for 27 years but now investigators believe they know who was responsible.

Convicted murdered Bryan Wolfe was recently identified as the perpetrator. In February of 1992, he murdered Bertha Lemell during a robbery. He was convicted of the crime and sentenced to death by the state of Texas. He was executed on May 18, 2005. If Wolfe was still alive today, he would be charged with Daigle's murder and investigators have now closed the case.

1989 cold case closed after suspect ID'd in investigation

Wolfe was known to commit robberies in the area to support a drug habit, and he had an active arrest warrant for robbery at the time of the murder. Investigators learned Wolfe was convicted of capital murder in Beaumont, Texas on Feb. 15, 1992 for the killing of Bertha Lemell during a robbery.

In 2016, investigators developed additional information identifying Wolfe as the primary suspect. Troopers resubmitted Wolfe’s fingerprints for analysis, and, using technology not previously available, it was determined Wolfe’s fingerprint positively matched the partial print from the sunglasses left at the scene.

Other information developed by investigators included matching the shoe print to a particular style and size of shoe that Wolfe was known to regularly wear.

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“By never giving up on this case, all of the investigators from the different agencies involved performed at a level that went above and beyond,” Col. Mike Edmonson, LSP superintendent, said. “Louisiana State Police are extremely pleased that we could assist with giving some closure to this painful and tragic memory for the Daigle family. We are also thankful for the Crime Lab that strives daily to keep up with technology. By doing so, they are able to assist with cases to help bring to justice those who commit horrible crimes, such as this one, that can go unresolved for years.”

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