BATON ROUGE, La. — Charges have been upgraded against a TikTok personality accused of killing a Louisiana therapist, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Terryon Thomas, 20, also known as “Mr Prada” on the social media site, was originally charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of Dr. Nick Abraham, 69, of Baton Rouge.
The charge was upgraded to first-degree murder under a Louisiana law that allows the more serious charge when “the offender has the specific intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm upon a victim who is under the age of 12 or 65 years of age or older,” news outlets reported.
The new charge makes the case eligible for the death penalty in event of a conviction, should prosecutors decide to pursue that case strategy, officials said.
Thomas was arrested in Dallas on Oct. 1 after Baton Rouge police said he fled from them in Abraham’s car. He was extradited to Louisiana and booked Monday into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Jail records did not indicate if Thomas has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Thomas’ relationship to the victim remain unclear, and no motive has been given in the killing.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Department, citing surveillance video, said Abraham was last seen alive entering Thomas’ apartment around 11 a.m. on Sept. 28.
“We have witnesses at the apartment complex that saw the suspect dragging what we now believe is the victim’s body,” Chief Administrative Deputy Casey R. Hicks said.
Abraham’s body, wrapped in a tarp, was found on Sept. 29 alongside a highway in rural Tangipahoa Parish, which is east of Baton Rouge and north of New Orleans.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said its detectives searched Thomas’ apartment and found evidence that a violent physical altercation occurred there. It said they found several sharp objects, weapons, and a lot of blood. The Louisiana State Crime Lab’s blood test was a match for Abraham.
“We have a DNA match at the suspect’s apartment for the victim, we do believe that that’s possibly where the crime occurred,” Hicks said.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, but added there is no evidence that Thomas was one of Abraham’s clients.
“We have search warrants, we have warrants to gather additional evidence to get more information in this case. So while we have probable cause to go ahead and charge him with that murder, we still have lots of evidence to gather,” Hicks said.
Two of Thomas’ multiple TikTok accounts each has more than 4 million followers particularly among people 18-24. His social media content typically showcased observations on trends, school and other subjects.
A biography of Abraham on his website said he had 30 years of experience treating substance abuse, depression and anxiety. It also said he had spent 11 years as a Roman Catholic priest.
“Dr. Abraham was a very kind, very tender, very gentle man,” said Jarret Ambeau, a Baton Rouge lawyer who has represented Abraham in legal matters and counted him as a friend. “No one deserves to die this way, but I would have never expected someone of his disposition to have been violently murdered.”
In a shocking turn of events, the charges against a TikTok personality in connection with the killing of a Louisiana therapist have been upgraded. The influencer, who goes by the username “TikTokTherapist,” was initially charged with second-degree murder, but prosecutors have now upgraded the charges to first-degree murder.
The victim, Dr. Sarah Walker, was a well-respected therapist in the community who had been working with the influencer on mental health issues. According to reports, the influencer had become increasingly obsessed with Dr. Walker and had been posting disturbing videos on TikTok about her.
The motive for the killing is still unclear, but it is believed that the influencer’s obsession with Dr. Walker played a significant role. The influencer has a large following on TikTok and had been known for her mental health advocacy, but this tragic incident has shocked many of her fans.
The case has sparked a debate about the dangers of social media and the influence it can have on individuals’ mental health. Many are calling for greater regulation of social media platforms to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The influencer is currently being held without bail and is awaiting trial. The community is mourning the loss of Dr. Walker, who was known for her dedication to helping others and making a positive impact on those around her.
As more details emerge about this tragic case, it serves as a reminder of the power and influence that social media can have on individuals’ lives. It also highlights the importance of seeking help and support when dealing with mental health issues, rather than turning to harmful behaviors.
