TikTok influencer “Mr Prada” arrested for second-degree murder

A popular TikTok creator has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 69-year-old Louisiana therapist.

Terryon Thomas, also known as “Mr. Prada,” was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Dallas, Texas, after he was allegedly seen driving a stolen car that police said belonged to William Abraham, the therapist.

Mr. Abraham's body was found wrapped in a tarp in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday.

Police said he died from blunt force trauma to the head, describing it as a “very physical, very violent death.”

Mr. Thomas, 20, has been charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, and is in custody in Dallas, Texas, awaiting extradition to Louisiana.

“This is an ongoing investigation that will take time to gather additional evidence,” Casey Hicks of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“I hope this arrest brings some closure and reassurance to friends and family,” she said.

Mr. Abraham's body was found Sunday in a blue tarp on the east side of U.S. Highway 51, police said, adding that they later discovered his car was missing.

Police said they later discovered surveillance footage that allegedly identified Mr. Thomas as the last person seen driving the therapist's vehicle.

They then attempted to traffic control Mr. Thomas, but he allegedly resisted arrest, backed into the officers' car and fled.

Police searched Mr. Thomas's Baton Rouge apartment and allegedly found evidence of a “violent physical altercation” as well as “a significant amount of blood” and unspecified weapons.

They added that witnesses allegedly saw Mr Thomas dragging “an object wrapped in a blue tarp” into the therapist's car on Saturday, September 28, the day before Mr Abraham's body was found.

Police said video surveillance footage also appeared to show Mr. Abraham arriving at the apartment complex where Mr. Thomas lived earlier that day wearing the same clothes in which his deceased body was found.

Police did not say how Mr. Thomas and Mr. Abraham knew each other or whether Mr. Thomas was a client of the therapist.

Mr. Thomas is known on the social media app TikTok, where he posts videos to millions of followers, mostly Generation Z, with commentary about school, relationships and trends.

According to Mr. Abraham's obituary, the victim was a “licensed professional counselor, motivational speaker, recording artist, author and teacher.” He was also a former Catholic priest who appeared regularly on local television in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.