Trial begins for man arrested in connection with discovery of pregnant woman's body in Vinton

SWLA, Louisiana (KPLC) – Jury selection begins today, August 19, for a Beaumont man charged with capital crimes in the death of his pregnant girlfriend.

Jonathan Menard, 35, will face charges in a Jefferson County court for the premeditated murder of multiple people and tampering with evidence.

The remains of 33-year-old Kayla Rice, who was six months pregnant when she was reported missing, were found on Ged Road near Vinton in February 2021.

Rice was reported missing in December 2020 by a relative from another state.

According to Beaumont police, Mendard was living with Rice at the time of her death.

In February 2021, a warrant was issued for Menard's arrest for tampering with evidence. Menard had previously been arrested in Calcasieu Parish on a warrant for a probation violation and was transferred from Calcasieu Parish to Jefferson County that same month.

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