Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott and Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator announced that a Caddo Parish Grand Jury returned a secret indictment against Linda Kate Passaniti for second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second degree-murder, and three counts of forgery.

The indictment stems from a continuing investigation by the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office into the contract killing of Ernest Luttrell on July 25, 2010. Passaniti was arrested Thursday, March 22, by the San Antonio Police Department on a bench warrant issued as a result of the indictment.

Investigators from the District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office traveled to San Antonio on Thursday to assist in the execution of a search warrant at Passaniti’s residence at the time of her arrest. Passaniti is currently incarcerated in San Antonio pending extradition.

Passaniti is the daughter of Loretta Luttrell, who was previously charged in the case. Tina Vanmoerkerque and Erick Crain are also charged as co-conspirators in the death of Luttrell. Documents recovered in the initial investigation led investigators to evaluate the participation and involvement of Passaniti in the manipulation of Ernest Luttrell’s finances prior to and after his death. Vanmoerkerque and Crain have each pled guilty to murder, received life sentences and have agreed to testify against all remaining defendants.

Passaniti has refused to consent to extradition. A Governor’s Warrant will be obtained to order her to be returned to Caddo Parish. At that time she will be transported to the Caddo
Correctional Center and then will be arraigned on the murder and forgery charges in Caddo District court as a co-defendant with her mother, Loretta Luttrell.