Body of Missing Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Man Found at Catahoula Locks

The body of a Breaux Bridge man who went missing on Saturday evening while fishing with a friend has been recovered, according to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Becket Breaux said that at approximately 8:20 am this morning (4/2/24), deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Division recovered the body of 27-year-old Ronald James Batiste.

The body was recovered at the Catahoula Locks.

A search had been on since Batiste went missing on Saturday, March 30, 2024. According to reports, Batitste was attempting to walk along the bank when he slipped and fell into the water.

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's deputies initially repsonded to a call around 5:30 pm on Saturday of a possible drowning at the Catahoula Locks.

Recovery efforts were immediately initiated by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol with assistance from Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. Those efforts remained ongoing until Batiste's body was discovered this morning by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office.