Reward for information raised to up to $6,000 in murder of Violet man shot in his car Oct. 30, 2012; Call Crimestoppers at 822-1111 with information

Crimestoppers, in conjunction with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, has announced the raising of a reward up to $6,000 for information leading to an arrest in the Oct. 30, 2012, murder of Christopher Campbell, 28, of Violet.

One year ago today the victim was found shot dead about 11 p.m. in the driver’s seat of his special edition 2004 Ford Mustang that had been burned-out on the shoulder of Louisiana 46 Extension, in eastern St. Bernard Parish, Darlene Cusanza of Crimestoppers and St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Campbell worked at several car shops as a body and fender specialist and spent much of his off time working on cars and racing them, often with groups of fellow car enthusiasts.

On the night of his murder, a passing motorist saw a dark-colored sports car parked immediately behind the Ford Mustang on the shoulder of Louisiana 46 Extension, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Only minutes later, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call that the same Mustang, still parked on the shoulder of the highway, was engulfed in flames. Authorities found Campbell in the driver’s seat of the Mustang, shot to death, and the other vehicle was gone.

Sheriff’s detectives believe Campbell may have already been dead in his car when the passing motorist saw his Mustang and the dark-colored sports car parked behind him – then the killer or killers quickly set fire to the Mustang just after the motorist passed.

Anyone with information about what happened should call Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $6,000 if an arrest is made based on the tip.