Suspect charged after woman found murdered under pier in New Orleans’ French Quarter

A Montana man has been arrested in connection with a murder in New Orleans’ historic and popular French Quarter neighborhood.

According to 4WWL, police found Patricia Fitzgerald’s body under a dock near the Louisiana city’s most famous landmark last month.

Courtney Cantrell, 35, was arrested in Poplar, Montana, on September 16, where he was allegedly hiding, nearly 2,000 miles from the crime scene.

Cantrell is currently in the custody of Fort Peck Tribal Police, authorities said.

Police had previously identified the man as a potential person of interest in the case. He is believed to be the last person seen with Fitzgerald, who suffered head injuries and a bite wound to his abdomen.

Fitzgerald, 44, was found strangled to death under the Governor Nicholls Street pier in the French Quarter on August 19.

Authorities will hold an extradition hearing to determine whether the man should be returned to Louisiana to face charges.

According to data released in April, there were 33 murders committed in 2024. Yet the city is currently experiencing a 40% drop in the murder rate.

However, seven people have been killed in the city’s French Quarter this year, meaning murder rates in that area are on the rise, reaching a 17-year high.

Of the seven killings, police believe at least four victims are innocent, a spokesperson told NOLA.com.

The area is under heavy surveillance, raising questions about how criminals manage to commit their crimes there.