Viral TikToker Accused of Murder: Everything You Need to Know
Terryon Thomas's mug shot. Photo courtesy of Dallas County Jail. Public domain.
Terryon Thomas, the 20-year-old TikTok® sensation with 4 million followers on his main account, rose to fame through comedic and relatable videos, though not without controversy — many accused him of copying content from other creators. This week, however, Thomas gained a much darker kind of notoriety when he was charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, sending shockwaves through his fanbase and the wider social media community.
A Gruesome Discovery on a Louisiana Highway
The investigation began when the body of 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham was discovered Sept. 29 on the side of a highway in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. He had been rolled in a comforter, taped with duct tape, and wrapped in a tarp. The coroner's office determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma, ruling it a homicide.
How Investigators Tracked Down the TikTok Star
The investigation quickly honed in on Terryon Thomas after surveillance footage revealed him as the last person seen driving Abraham's car. When Baton Rouge police spotted the vehicle on Sept. 30, they attempted to pull Thomas over. Instead, he sped away, leading to a chaotic chase that ended with a crash. Thomas abandoned the car and fled on foot, evading capture.
Detectives searched Thomas's Baton Rouge apartment and found disturbing evidence of a violent struggle. Blood was discovered throughout the unit, along with sharp weapons and clear signs of an attempted cleanup. Surveillance footage added to the damning evidence, showing Abraham arriving at Thomas' apartment complex on the morning of Sept. 28. Witnesses later reported seeing Thomas struggling to drag a tarp-wrapped object down the stairs, which he then loaded into Abraham's car.
Thomas' flight didn't end in Louisiana. He was eventually tracked down and captured in Texas, bringing an interstate manhunt to a close. These chilling details, combined with the evidence left behind, shifted the investigation to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, which continues to uncover the shocking truth behind this crime.
Who Was the Victim?
Abraham was a licensed professional counselor in Baton Rouge. His professional biography portrays him as a multifaceted individual, emphasizing his roles as a life coach, motivational speaker, author, and counselor. It also highlights his 11 years of service as a Catholic priest. Without a known connection to TikTok star Terryon Thomas, detectives are still working to uncover a motive for the killing.
Charges Escalate: From Second-Degree to First-Degree Murder
Terryon Thomas was initially facing charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, however, during a court hearing on Oct. 8, prosecutors announced the charge had been upgraded to first-degree murder. East Baton Rouge Parish Commissioner Jermaine Guillory ordered Thomas to be held without bond and scheduled a bond hearing for mid-January. Thomas has been appointed a public defender but has not yet entered a plea.
In a photo shared last year, the TikTok star can be seen jokingly pretending to practice for a mug shot. The caption read, "Practicing for my mug shot because this might be the year someone meets their maker if they push me too far." As investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding William Nicholas Abraham's tragic death, Thomas now faces the sobering reality of first-degree murder charges. With the trial ahead, the world will be watching to uncover the full story behind this shocking crime.
References: TikTok content creator arrested in murder case of Baton Rouge therapist | TikTok star now charged with murder in therapists' death: 'A violent physical altercation'
