CBS 48 Hours looks into the death of Megan Parra and the case against her husband, Dustin Parra. Law & Crime reported that Megan died of a gunshot wound on June 28, 2014, inside their Cottonport, Louisiana, home. At the time, authorities ruled that her death was a suicide. However, seven years later, they charged Dustin with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
The episode titled “The Suspicious Death of Megan Parra” will air on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10 p.m. ET. A synopsis states, “When a mother of two is found dead in her home, her father obtains death scene photos that help solve the case. “48 Hours” contributor David Begnaud reports.”
In October 2021, Dustin faced charges in Megan’s 2014 death for the first time. KALB-TV stated that the accused entered a no-contest plea to one count of negligent homicide in March 2023. He received a five-year prison sentence and is now serving time at the Dixon Correctional Institute, per the Louisiana Department of Corrections.
What charges did Dustin Parra face in Megan Parra’s suspicious death?
According to KALB-TV, on March 26, 2023, Dustin Parra entered a no-contest plea to one count of negligent homicide in Megan Parra’s death. Dustin had initially pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. He was going to stand trial on March 27 before pleading no contest to the reduced charge. Moreover, Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle agreed to not prosecute the obstruction of justice charge.
The outlet reported that, as part of the no-contest plea deal, Dustin agreed to admit certain facts about the case. This includes acknowledging the fact that his marriage was struggling. He further admitted that on the morning of June 28, 2014, he and Megan, a mother-of-two, were arguing. During the argument, the latter threatened to leave him.
Dustin then admitted that he had a pistol in his hand while arguing with Megan and that it went off during the struggle. A bullet then hit the latter. He also admitted that he left the house and only returned after the victim’s father called him.
After admitting to the facts, Dustin Parra entered the no-contest plea. Judge Kerry Spruill then sentenced him to five years in prison. The outlet reported that five years is the maximum sentence one count of negligent homicide carries as a non-violent offense. The 39-year-old also agreed to waive his rights to an appeal and if released early, he will serve the remaining time on parole.
District Attorney Charles Riddle told KALB that while a no-contest plea is not considered a guilty plea, “It’s the equivalent.” Riddle further stated, “He [Dustin Parra] admitted to all the facts that we needed him. We would not have accepted any plea agreement without the family in this case agreeing.”
In October 2021, a grand jury indicted Dustin Parra, then 37, seven years after Megan died of a gunshot wound. The indictment stated, “[Dustin] did intentionally discharge a firearm at or near Megan Parra with the intent to kill or commit great bodily harm.” It also mentioned that he tampered with evidence “with the specific intent of distorting the results of any criminal investigation.”
Law & Crime reported that Megan Parra, 29, died of a gunshot wound on June 28, 2014. The incident occurred at the couple’s Cottonport, Louisiana, home. At the time, authorities ruled that the mother died by suicide until 2021 when a re-investigation led to Dustin’s indictment.
The CBS 48 Hours episode on Megan Parra’s death and the case against Dustin Parra airs on January 6, 2024.
