Activist and community leader found dead in the trunk of a car: NPR

Police say they are looking for the "person or persons" responsible for the death of Sadie Roberts-Joseph, a prominent community activist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and founder of the African American Museum of History from the city.

Roberts-Joseph, who was 75, was discovered Friday afternoon in the trunk of a car about three miles from his home. The police did not explain what drove them to the car where they found his body. According to the Associated Press, investigators are waiting for a coroner to determine the cause of death.

Roberts-Joseph was a respected civil rights leader in Baton Rouge. In 2001, she founded the Baton Rouge African American History Museum, which, according to her website, features African art exhibits and tells the story of minority inventors. . It also includes exhibits of historical objects from the era of civil rights, including a 1963 bus used in the boycott of civil rights in Baton Rouge.

Roberts-Joseph was also the founder of the non-profit organization Community Against Drugs and Violence and she organized every year a "Celebration of Juneteenth", a commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in the south of United States.

"We need to be informed about our history and that of others," she said. L & # 39; lawyer newspaper in 2016. "Through the racial lines, the community can help build a better Baton Rouge, a better state and a better nation."

Roberts-Joseph's sister, Beatrice Johnson, told L & # 39; lawyer that Roberts-Joseph had come to her home, two doors away, last Friday because "she had mixed corn bread, but her oven was out and she had brought it here to bake it".

"The bread is still there," says Johnson, "She never came back for it."

In Baton Rouge and on social media, the news of Roberts-Joseph's death has brought a wave of grief and memories.

"She was one of the last street historians to baton rouge's mouth and devoted her life to telling the story of freedom fighters in my hometown with the most beautiful art" wrote a Twitter user. "Stay in power, Miss Sadie, you did not deserve that."

In a Facebook article, the Baton Rouge Police Service wrote, "Mrs. Sadie was a tireless supporter of community peace, and we had the opportunity to work with her on many levels. his bike CADAV (Community Against Drugs and Violence) Mrs. Sadie is a treasure for our community. "

The post added, "Our detectives are working diligently to bring to justice the perpetrator (s) of this heinous act."

C. Denise Marcelle, state representative, wrote in a message on Facebook: "My heart is empty … because I learned last night that Mrs. Sadie Roberts Joseph had been found murdered! This woman was amazing and loved her story, she did not bother anyone. "