Sadie Roberts-Joseph, founder of an African American museum In Baton Rouge, found dead in trunk of a car

Update: A man has been arrested for Roberts-Joseph’s murder – Read more on WAFB

Beloved activist found deceased

Sadie Roberts-Joseph, a beloved activist and founder of an African American museum in Baton Rouge, was found dead in the trunk of a car, WBRZ reported. The body of Roberts-Joseph, 75, was located Friday but reports say it wasn’t immediately clear what led officers to the car. Her cause of death is still unknown and her vehicle was about 3 miles from her home, WAFB reported. Roberts-Joseph was a renowned advocate in the Baton Rouge area. She founded the Odell S. Williams Now and Then African American Museum in 2001, where she had been hosting the city’s Juneteenth celebration for years. “Ms. Sadie was a tireless advocate of peace in the community,” the police department said in a statement. “Ms. Sadie is a treasure to our community, she will be missed by BRPD and her loss will be felt in the community she served.” She also founded Community Against Drugs and Violence, a non-profit organization focused in creating a safer environment for children in North Baton Rouge.

Local politicians, advocates and community members mourn Roberts-Joseph’s death

State Representative C. Denise Marcelle said in a Facebook post that the activist “never bothered anyone” and was looking to expand her museum. The NAACP Baton Rouge Branch remembered Roberts-Joseph in a Facebook post. “We lost a Cultural Legend Yesterday! #RIP Sadie Roberts Joseph,” the group wrote. “From reviving Juneteenth, to the Culture preserved at Her Museum, she was a trendsetter and icon in this City.”

Investigation

Authorities investigating the activist’s death urged anyone with information about the case to call police detectives at 225-389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-STOP (7867).