LAFAYETTE, La. (KADN/KPLC) - Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old mother originally from Scott, was last seen in March of 2022. After two and a half years, recent developments in her case still leave her family puzzled.
“It hurts just the same as when we were searching for her. It’s still a puzzle,” Goodie’s cousin Renetra Elaire said.
On Nov. 21, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment against Brandon Jermaine Francisco in the carjacking and death of Goodie. He was arrested in St. Joseph, Missouri, on March 25, 2022, on an unrelated warrant out of Rapides Parish. Goodie’s vehicle was also found in Missouri.
Francisco has been indicted on the following charges:
- Carjacking resulting in death
- Use of a firearm during a violent crime
- Possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies
- Flight to avoid prosecution
Although Goodie’s family says they are glad that Francisco is finally being charged, there’s still so much they need to know about what happened to her.
“Once we heard the news, I thought I’d be more strong, but when I heard the news it just broke me down even more. Because I heard the incitement and all that situation but like where is she,” Deasha Johnson, Goodie’s cousin, said.
The family is pleading for more answers. Why would he target Ella? Where did he leave her? And what did he do with her body?
“Brandon say something, anything for her children’s sake. If you’re going to be selfish about killing her, I feel like if you did something to her just say it. The damage is already done, she’s gone,” Elaire said.
The family says that they won’t stop until some kind of justice is served for Ella.
“We can find out where she’s at and start the healing process,” Elaire said.
“We need some type of closure. I don’t care how long it takes, we are not giving up,” Johnson said.
If convicted, Francisco faces a sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
An arraignment and initial appearance will be scheduled for Francisco at a later date.
