New Orleans, LA – Today, members of the New Orleans Police arrested 18-year-old Nathan Foreman and 19-year-old Jonathan Bailey, both of New Orleans and booked them with murder in connection with the death of 71-year-old Myra Mehrtens.  The offense occurred Sunday, March 7, 2005, at 8:50 p.m., at #22 Warbler Street.
 
According to investigators, officers responded to a call of a shooting and when they arrived, discovered the victim lying on the ground suffering from what appeared to be at least one gunshot wound to the neck area.  She was transported to Charity Hospital and later died. 
 
As a direct result of a CRIMESTOPPERS’ tip, investigators were able to positively identify the two suspects as the persons responsible for the robbery and murder of Mrs. Mehrtens.  Detectives believe the suspects followed the victim to her home and during a robbery, shot and killed her. 

Early this morning, officers assigned to the Special Operations Division served simultaneous search and arrest warrants at the suspects’ homes.  Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody without incident. 

Investigators also arrested a third person, 17-year-old Christopher Cavalier, and booked him with being a principal to first degree murder and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  This suspect was not an active participant in the murder but did supply the murder weapon to the suspects.  The vehicle used by the suspects has been recovered. 

The New Orleans Police Department would like to thank the Crimestoppers organization, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their assistance in this investigation. 

 Arrested:       18-year-old Nathan Foreman
                      4358 Duplessis Street

                      19-year-old Jonathan Bailey
                      1560 Mandolin Street

 Booked with: First-Degree Murder
                      Armed Robbery

 Arrested:       17-year-old Christopher Cavalier
                      4305 Cartier Street

 Booked with: Principal to First-Degree Murder
                      Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number

All suspects have been taken to Central Lock-up and booked with the aforementioned offenses.   JPEGS of the arrested suspects have been e-mailed to local media outlets.  There was no photo available of Christopher Cavalier.