Civil Rights Activist and Founder of African-American History Museum

The founder of an African-American history museum in Louisiana was found dead in the trunk of a car Friday afternoon, police said. The cause of death for Sadie Roberts-Joseph, who was considered an icon in the Baton Rouge community, has not been determined, but two local officials said she was murdered. Police found the body of Roberts-Joseph, 75, in a car about 3.5 miles from her home, CBS Baton Rouge affiliate WAFB reports. Authorities have not said what led to her body being discovered. In 2001, Roberts-Joseph founded the Odell S. Williams Now & Then Museum of African-American History, which is now known as the Baton Rouge African-American History Museum. She was revered in Baton Rouge for her charity and activism and for helping to start the annual Juneteenth celebrations in Louisiana's capital city commemorating the ending of slavery. "Ms. Sadie was a tireless advocate of peace in the community. We had opportunities to work with her on so many levels," the Baton Rouge Police Department said in a statement. "Ms. Sadie is a treasure to our community. She will be missed by BRPD and her loss will be felt in the community she served." The department added, "Our detectives are working diligently to bring the person or persons responsible for this heinous act to justice."

Source: Mmo-champion.com

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