Missing Person Found Dead in Washington, Louisiana

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office investigates death of Carencro man at campground

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office reported that a missing person, Jason Paul Faul of Carencro, Louisiana, was found dead in the Courtableau River near a campground in Washington, Louisiana. Faul's vehicle was detected by license plate readers traveling northbound on I-49 and was later found unlocked and unoccupied at the campground, with his cell phone inside. His body was located in the water near the riverbank.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of modern technology like license plate readers and vehicle tracking systems in helping law enforcement quickly locate missing persons and investigate suspicious incidents. The rapid response and coordination between the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office also demonstrate the value of inter-agency cooperation in resolving such cases.

The details

According to the press release, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office was notified of Faul's disappearance by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office on February 9, 2026. Using the OnStar system in Faul's 2025 Chevrolet pickup, officials were able to track the vehicle to a campground in Washington, Louisiana, where it was found unlocked and unoccupied, with Faul's cell phone inside. A search of the area revealed a key fob and chair near the edge of the Courtableau River, and Faul's body was later found in the water near the riverbank. An autopsy was performed, and authorities are awaiting the results of blood toxicology tests, but no indications of foul play were found.

  • On February 9, 2026, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office reported Jason Paul Faul missing.
  • Faul's vehicle was detected by license plate readers traveling northbound on I-49 at around 3:30 am on February 9, 2026.
  • Faul's body was found in the Courtableau River near a campground in Washington, Louisiana on February 9, 2026.

The players

Bobby J. Guidroz

The Sheriff of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

Jason Paul Faul

A 26-year-old man from Carencro, Louisiana who was reported missing and was later found dead in the Courtableau River.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that initially reported Faul missing and assisted the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We want to thank the Lafayette Sheriff's Office and their staff for their immediate notification and assistance to us in this matter. Modern technology, if properly utilized, can bring many of these cases to a rapid conclusion. We hope by this rapid resolution that the family can begin to heal from this tragic loss.”

— Bobby J. Guidroz, Sheriff, St. Landry Parish (stlandrynow.com)

What’s next

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office is awaiting the results of blood toxicology tests to determine the cause of Jason Faul's death, and will continue the investigation to its logical and evidentiary conclusion.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of modern technology and inter-agency cooperation in missing persons investigations. The rapid response and use of tools like license plate readers and vehicle tracking systems allowed authorities to quickly locate Faul's vehicle and body, providing closure for his family during this tragic loss.