St. James deputies search for answers after body found in sugarcane field

CONVENT, La. (WGNO) — The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man was found dead in a sugarcane field Saturday (Jan. 28).

According to deputies, an agent with Wildlife and Fisheries called deputies reporting the body of a black man was found on a sugarcane field road in Convent.

Responding deputies discovered the man had been shot multiple times. Investigations revealed the victim’s description matched a person reported missing on Jan. 25.

26-year-old Robert Lee Hampton of Bay City, Texas, was last seen in Ascension Parish while visiting family on Jan. 19. That same day his vehicle, a black 4-door Dodge Charger, was found burned.

The investigation is still ongoing anyone with information on Hampton’s death is asked to contact St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office at 225-562-2200, or submit a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers GNO.

Information may also be submitted to Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office anonymously at 225-621-4636 or by texting 847411 to their anonymous tip line. A tip can also be submitted to Capital Region Crime Stoppers by calling 225-344-STOP(7867).