Natchitoches man sentenced to life in prison for fatal stabbing

NATCHITOCHES, La. (CALF) – A Natchitoches man pleaded guilty and was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the 2022 robbery and stabbing of a victim, according to District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington.

Kendrick Cox, 33, was sentenced to life in prison without parole, probation or parole.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office said on January 13, 2022, the victim, Joshua Lee Humphries, 35, of Trout, was reported missing. During the investigation, Natchitoches authorities received word that a body was located in an oxidation pond in the rear of the Payne subdivision in Natchitoches. On February 2, 2022, NPSO recovered the body, later identified as Humphries.

According to NPSO, evidence revealed that Cox robbed and stabbed a victim after the victim’s body was found in an oxidation pond approximately two weeks after the incident. The body appeared to have numerous stab wounds and cuts.

Cox’s sentence is to be served consecutive to another life sentence he is already serving. According to the Calcasieu District Attorney’s Office, he was previously sentenced to life in prison on October 2, 2023 for the brutal murder of 66-year-old Tafford James Deshotel in Lake Charles after meeting him on a dating app.

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