Cold Case Solved: Suspect Arrested in 1998 Murder of Amber Jenkins Gracia

Morgan City Police have made an arrest in the 26-year-old homicide case of Amber Jenkins Garcia. The body of 20-year-old Garcia was discovered on October 8, 1998, sending shockwaves through the community. Despite an initial investigation, the case went cold with the killer not known for over two decades.

Advancements in DNA technology proved key in cracking the case. Evidence from the crime scene was re-examined and sent for modern forensic analysis. Results from the Acadiana Crime Lab identified a suspect: 42-year-old John Willis Pittman Jr.

An arrest warrant was issued for Pittman on October 30, 2024. He was taken into custody in the early hours of November 6th and booked for second-degree murder at the Morgan City Police Department.

Chief Chad M. Adams and the Morgan City Police Department stated, in a written press release on Wednesday morning, “Chief Chad M. Adams and the Morgan City Police Department would like to extend our heart felt prayers and condolences to Ms. Amber Jenkins Garcia’s Family and hope they find peace with the closure of this case”.