A tragic incident left the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office in mourning as Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting, aged 34, was found dead in his office from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on the evening of January 4, 2024, according to New Orleans, Louisiana police.
The police found Kersting in the DA’s office located at 619 South White Street, a short distance north of the famous Bourbon Street, around 9 p.m. He was declared dead at the scene by emergency medical services.
The DA’s Office expressed its deep sorrow over the incident, stating “Assistant District Attorney Ian Kersting was a beloved member of our office, and we send our love and deepest condolences to his family.”
Kersting, a key member of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) unit, worked in collaboration with New Orleans Police Department detectives to investigate and prosecute sex crimes using DNA evidence analysis. The SAKI program, which was established to address previously untested sexual assault kits, played a crucial role in bringing justice to numerous victims in the New Orleans area.
During his time in office, Kersting was known for his work on complex sexual assault cases. In March 2024, he was instrumental in obtaining a conviction for attempted first-degree rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile under 13. The Orleans Parish DA’s office acknowledged his contribution, along with several other team members, to this significant verdict.
In November 2022, Kersting achieved a notable milestone when he successfully prosecuted a high-profile murder case against Anthony Jones. Jones was convicted for the 2016 killing of Renata Vaughn in New Orleans’ 7th Ward neighborhood, where evidence indicated she was stabbed 72 times with a flathead screwdriver in front of her children before Jones set her house on fire.
DA Jason Williams commended Kersting’s work on this difficult case, stating, “I am grateful for the hard work of two of my youngest prosecutors, Constance Tullier and Ian Kersting, as well as Victim/Witness Advocate Vickie Landry and former NOPD Detective Bruce Brueggeman.”
Kersting started at the DA’s office after being admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in October 2020. Throughout his three-year tenure, he was known for his dedication to victims of sexual assault and for handling numerous high-profile cases. His colleagues admired his commitment to justice and his professional and compassionate handling of sensitive cases.
Following this tragic incident, the DA’s office announced the temporary closure of its facilities on January 6 to facilitate access to grief and trauma counselors for staff and to review the support services available to those handling traumatic cases. The office expressed its appreciation to the local legal community for their “extraordinary compassion and humanity” during this difficult time and reiterated its commitment to mental health resources for its staff.
The New Orleans Police Department’s Major Offense Log has recorded the incident, and the scene was processed in accordance with standard department procedures. The security protocols and after-hours access policies of the building are also being reviewed as part of the standard investigation process.
