Luther Murphy “Buddy” Meshell, 50, was killed March 27, 1991, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
At the time of his death, he lived alone in an apartment at 1653 1/2 Michal, near Linwood and Midway avenues.
The father of two was partially paralyzed and relied on a wheelchair or crutches. He raised daughter Tammy from the time she was six months old, along with a son, Allen. Theirs was a close-knit family.1
He was laid to rest at St Michael’s Cemetery in Zwolle, Louisiana.2
Circumstances
During the crime, Luther’s television, stereo, car, and $30 were stolen, leading police to suspect robbery as the motive.3 The perpetrator(s) also cut the phone line, effectively preventing him from calling for help.4 Tammy suggests that an unnamed female acquaintance may have been involved.1
His stolen 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 was found the following morning at 8:00 am in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 2311 Maryanne in Queensborough. The other stolen items were never recovered.5
Crimescene
Luther’s 17-year-old son discovered his body on the bedroom floor of his home at approximately 7:35 pm. However, conflicting reports suggest that it may have been his daughter who found him.1 Investigators estimated that he had been deceased for roughly two days before his body was discovered.5
Cause of Death
The official cause of death has not been released; it is presumed to be multiple stab wounds to throat and chest.
Ongoing Investigation & Suspects
As of now, no suspects have been identified. The most recent public appeal for information from authorities was September 17, 2013.6
On February 16, 2018, Luther’s son, Allen, survived multiple stab wounds inflicted by his girlfriend’s adult son. While it is unlikely this incident is connected to Luther’s case from 27 years earlier, it is worth noting that the same type of weapon was used, and both events occurred in the same city. On March 11, 2019, Dustin Charles Eschenbach was convicted of aggravated battery and attempted second-degree murder. He was sentenced to eight years for the aggravated battery conviction and 25 years without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence for the attempted second-degree murder conviction.7
On February 16, 2018, Luther’s son, Allen, survived being stabbed multiple times by his girlfriend’s adult son. Though this incident is unlikely to be linked to Luther’s case from 27 years ago, both used the same type of weapon and occurred in the same city. On March 11, 2019, Dustin Charles Eschenbach was convicted of aggravated battery and attempted second-degree murder. He received an eight-year sentence for aggravated battery and 25 years without parole, probation, or sentence suspension for attempted second-degree murder.
Limited Details
Few details are known about Luther Meshell’s life or the circumstances surrounding his death. If you have a credible source of information, please share it. Uncovering more of his story could inspire others to seek justice, take action, or remember a critical detail that might lead to resolution.
Do You Have Information?
Shreveport Police Department is working to solve the murder of Luther Murphy “Buddy” Meshell. If you have any details, please contact detectives at (318) 673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373.
--Sources:
- KTBS: Daughter searches 25 years for father’s murderer, published 03/29/16 [↩][↩][↩]
- Find A Grave: Luther Murphy Meshell, accessed 01/22/25 [↩]
- Shreveport Times: 19 years later, homicide case remains open, pg 3, published 06/28/10 [↩]
- KSLA Newschannel 12: 24 years later, family not losing hope about father’s unsolved murder, published 03/26/15 [↩]
- Shreveport Journal: Son found father stabbed to death inside his home, pg 3, published 03/28/91 [↩][↩]
- KTBS: Clearing homicide cases, published 09/17/13 [↩]
- State of Louisiana v Eschenbach, accessed 01/22/25 [↩]
