Man arrested for murder of 77-year-old woman in her Bridge City apartment in 2020

Bridge City — A man is in prison on murder charges in connection with the 2020 killing of a 77-year-old Bridge City woman who was found in her apartment.

Bridge City police said 34-year-old Joel Christian Sonnier was arrested Thursday for the murder of Janette Carney. Carney's body was discovered in her apartment on June 10, 2020.

The case was presented to the grand jury on Wednesday, September 18, and charges of murder were filed. An arrest warrant was issued on Thursday.

Joel Sonnier was found in a Beaumont apartment and taken into custody. Sonnier was taken to the Jefferson County Jail where he is being held. A judge set bail at $1 million.

The Bridge City Police Department thanks the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Beaumont Police Department for the search and arrest of Joel Sonnier.

According to her obituary at Claybar Funeral Home, “Janette was a local beekeeper who was affectionately known as 'Honey Bee.' She touched the lives of so many and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.”