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News 10 Investigates: Murder suspect in missing Ville Platte woman case has criminal history going back decades
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VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY) -- The family of Keabreonna "Keke" Doucet is questioning why the man who was charged with her murder was released from jail when he faced charges including kidnapping and aggravated battery.
Elrick Gallow, 52, of Baton Rouge, was arrested this week and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Doucet's disappearance.
The 27-year-old mother has been missing since mid-June. Doucet was scheduled to meet her daughter on June 15 but never arrived at the meeting place. Her family said her phone was located at Chief Romeo Hargrove City Park later that day. It’s less than a mile from her home. After that, they said the phone was turned off, and it hasn’t come back on since.
Ville Platte Detective Sgt. Darrian Guillory said that based on information she had obtained from different people, it is her understanding that Gallow is the "significant other" of Doucet.
Court records
Court records from the Evangeline Parish Courthouse show that Gallow has a criminal history reaching back to the 90s.
In the 90s, he faced charges including second-degree kidnapping, second-degree aggravated battery, and an armed robbery charge. The robbery charge was later dismissed but he was sentenced to 30 years of hard labor for kidnapping and 15 years of hard labor for the battery offense.
Francis M. Abbott, executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pardons & Committee on Parole, said Gallow was parole-eligible after serving 20 years and reaching the age of 45.
Records also show that Gallow had faced drug and gun-related charges in 1991 and 1999.
Gallow, now 52, reappeared on law enforcement's radar after Doucet's disappearance.
Sgt. Guillory said Gallow had been a person of interest in the case until new evidence emerged and had enough information to apply for an arrest warrant against him.
Gallow is currently in the parish jail awaiting bond.
Family reaction
Lekethia Griffith, Doucet's cousin, said the family wants to know why Gallow was released from jail.
"That's the major question. Like, why?" Griffith said.
Regarding Doucet's relationship with Gallow, her family members said, “All the words that we got is that they were dating. We can't confirm or say yes or no because it's not something that we really know or see ourselves.”
Doucet's family said they hope to get their loved one back, especially for her daughter.
"We'll wait to see if we get any answers as to if he says if we can go where her body is. We'll definitely set up a search group to go and search for her or hopefully, he will lead us to her,” Griffith said.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Ville Platte Police Department at 337-363-1316 and ask for Sgt. Guillory.