Abbeville man arrested in connection to woman found stabbed to death in March

An Abbeville man has been arrested in connection to the death of 44-year-old Nicolette Menard.
According to Abbeville Chief of Police, Javen Richardson, 33, of Abbeville, faces a charge of second-degree murder.
On March 30, the Abbeville Police Department responded to the report of a death at the Courtyard Apartments located on Coulee Kinney Road in Abbeville. Upon arrival, officers found the Menards’ body, lying on the floor of her apartment with multiple stab wounds to her body.
The Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office was notified, and shortly thereafter, Menard was pronounced dead at the scene. A homicide investigation was initiated, and Abbeville Detectives began to process the scene and canvass the apartment complex along with surrounding areas for evidence.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division added more manpower and assisted Abbeville Detectives in identifying a suspect.
During the investigation, detectives received information placing Richardson at the scene around the time of Menard’s death. He became the main focus of the investigation, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Richardson for the charge of Second-Degree Murder.
Detectives believed Richardson left town in an attempt to avoid prosecution. The Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force was called in to assist with the investigation. Abbeville Police Detectives communicated with Louisiana State Police and received information that the suspect traveled out of town but had returned to Abbeville.
On April 13, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office located Richardson at a residence just outside Abbeville city limits. He was arrested and transported to the Abbeville Police Department, where he was booked on an active warrant for Second Degree Homicide. Richardson was then transported to the Vermilion Parish Corrections Center.
Hardy would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Police, the Abbeville City Marshal’s Office, and the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
Hardy would like to commend his department for a job well done.
Hardy urges the public to provide any information regarding this crime or any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.