Inset: Ian Seghers (Jackson Country Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home where Ian Seghers allegedly killed his stepfather (WAFB/YouTube).
A man from Louisiana with a troubled relationship with his stepfather allegedly chose to murder the 66-year-old at his residence. Police report that voice recordings sent by the suspect to his brother on Facebook explain the details of how the crime was committed.
In one of the recordings, Ian Seghers, 34, from Baton Rouge, supposedly told his brother, “I put a hammer in my pants and everything,” as reported by local ABC and CBS affiliate WLOX. Seghers’ brother, Sean Crawford, shared the recordings with the media and subsequently provided them to the police, according to the WLOX report.
“Walked up in that b— to do it,” Seghers allegedly said.
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Authorities claim Seghers killed his stepfather, Walter Rowland, around March 9, the same time the victim was reported missing after failing to attend a weekly visit with his sister. Rowland’s remains have yet to be located.
Seghers’ arrest warrant and affidavit, which were obtained by local media outlets this week, describe the pair as having a “rocky relationship” leading up to Rowland’s murder, according to CBS affiliate WAFB. The arrest warrant details how Seghers allegedly asked in his voice recordings for someone to help clean up the murder scene.
“He leaves these messages again and again also stated that he had to remove carpet because of the disgusting mess that was at this residence,” the warrant said, according to ABC affiliate WBRZ.
Crawford told WLOX he feels guilty about turning the recordings he received on Facebook Messenger over to local authorities, but he also knows it was the right thing to do. Cops confirmed to WAFB that they received the recordings, which helped lead to a charge of first-degree murder for Seghers.
“I feel like I’m doing him wrong but at the same time to call me or come knocking on my door saying hey man help me with a murder,” Crawford said.
Police allege that Seghers used to live with his stepfather in Baton Rouge and that the two of them had domestic issues, WAFB reports. He allegedly took Rowland’s truck to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, after killing Rowland, and was captured on March 22.
While Rowland’s body was never found, cops say there was enough evidence to charge Seghers, including large amounts of blood and blood spatter that was allegedly uncovered inside Rowland’s home.
“Even though he made an attempt to clean it, through the technology and equipment we have we were able to see that a scene did occur there,” said BRPD public information officer Lt. L’Jean McKneely in an interview with WAFB.
Attempts by Law&Crime to reach the department for comment and more information on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
