What started at a missing person case on Feb. 17 a search of the Eunice City Lake is now a murder case.
Irving Cisneros Arguelles, 24, 210 Narcisse Lacour Road, Lawtell, is charged with firstd-degree murder, simple arson and obstruction of justice.
The charges are related to the death of Jorlany Osario Benitez, 210 Narcisse Lacour Road, Lawtell.
A news release stated the following
“On February 17, 2025, concerned individuals reported Jorlany Osario Benitez missing. These individuals began to ping Jorlany’s phone, which led them to a remote area along LA Hwy 10 where her vehicle was discovered in a field, completely burned. The phone ping indicated that it was near LA Hwy 10 and in the immediate proximity to a Hispanic male walking along the highway.” Sheriff Guidroz continued, “The responding deputy came upon Irving Cisneros Arguelles, who had attempted to discard the phone belonging to Jorlany. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives began the investigation, which resulted in Arguelles leading deputies to the Eunice City Lake. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit is on scene conducting diving operations.” Sheriff Guidroz advises, “While any admission of any criminal conduct is significant, it is incumbent upon law enforcement to prove or disprove every component of the admission. For now, this is an active missing person case until actual facts are uncovered. The investigation into the vehicle arson has resulted in Arguelles being charged with simple arson. He will be detained until Homeland Security and I.C.E. can be notified, as he is an undocumented foreign national.”
On February 20, 2025, Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz provided this update; “As this investigation has unfolded, detectives have obtained sufficient evidence and information to amend the charges against Irving Cisneros Arguelles to include First Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. I want to thank all of the assisting agencies and commend our Patrol Division, C.I.D. detectives and our Search and Rescue personnel for their efforts in this extraordinary case.”
