HAMMOND — Reginald Reed Sr. was found guilty of second-degree murder in November 2022 for the 1987 killing of his wife, Selonia Reed. He received a sentence of life in prison.

Selonia Reed's body was discovered in her blue Chevy Sprint in a parking area near Hammond, Louisiana, in August 1987. Police stated that she had been bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times, and stripped naked, indicating a sexual assault.

Reginald Reed Sr. reported Selonia Reed missing about an hour before her body was located. He informed police on August 23, 1987, that Selonia Reed said she was going out with a friend the night prior. However, the friend later told police that she and Selonia Reed had not made such plans.

During the initial investigation, police interviewed Reginald Reed Jr., who was six years old at the time, on videotape with his father present. Reginald Reed Jr. told police that he and his father spent the evening playing video games and then slept in the same sofa bed. Police believed Reginald Reed Sr. killed Selonia Reed in their bedroom while their son slept, then placed her body in her car and drove it to where it was found.

The case saw new developments in 2012 when a Texas Ranger visited Reginald Reed Jr.'s home, informing him that his father was the prime suspect. Lieutenant Barry Ward of the Louisiana State Police led the effort to gather new evidence in the case. Reginald Reed Sr. and Jimmy Ray Barnes were indicted for second-degree murder. Jimmy Ray Barnes later agreed to testify against Reginald Reed Sr. in exchange for a five-year prison sentence. Barnes testified that he met Reginald Reed Sr. at the crime scene and saw him in the car next to Selonia Reed's body.

Reginald Reed Jr. reflected on the videotaped interview from 1987, stating, "Looking at that, it's still hard to believe that that's me." He further commented, "Just knowing the type of father he is, I can't just turn a page and just look at my father as a complete monster."