In a shocking twist out of Louisiana, a TikTok personality with millions of followers is now at the center of an unsettling investigation following the death of a well-known therapist and motivational speaker. Terryon Ishmael Thomas, a 20-year-old influencer better known by his online moniker “Mr. Prada,” has been named a person of interest in the brutal murder of William Nicholas Abraham, 69, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp on the side of Highway 51.
This gruesome discovery came early Sunday morning when a passerby spotted what looked like a suspiciously rolled-up tarp and alerted the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived and found the body of Abraham—who was known for his work as a therapist, life coach, and former Catholic priest—wrapped inside. Authorities later determined that the victim had suffered severe blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and shoulders in what Sheriff Gerald Sticker described as “a very physical and very violent attack.”
Just a day after the body was discovered, Baton Rouge police spotted Thomas driving Abraham’s black Lincoln MKZ. Rather than comply with officers attempting to conduct a traffic stop, Thomas allegedly backed into the police vehicle and fled on foot, abandoning the stolen car. Surveillance footage from a nearby store later captured Thomas, though as of now, he has not been apprehended and remains on the run. He’s currently wanted on charges of aggravated criminal damage to property, resisting arrest, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Notably, he has not yet been charged in Abraham’s death.
Mugshot released for Terryon Ishmael Thomas, 20, a TikTok personality known as “Mr.Prada,” who was arrested in connection with the homicide of Baton Rouge therapist William Nicholas “Nick” Abraham. https://t.co/IEX8y4EQJb pic.twitter.com/ayPJirPhsg
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) October 2, 2024
While a clear motive remains elusive, Abraham’s 2015 arrest in East Baton Rouge Parish for allegedly inappropriately touching an 11-year-old boy during a therapy session has resurfaced, though the charges were never pursued. Sheriff Sticker acknowledged the arrest but emphasized that the investigation is focused on finding out where and how the murder took place, as Abraham’s body was found far from any clear crime scene. No weapons were discovered near the body, and a search of Abraham’s home didn’t yield any evidence pointing to foul play there.
NEW: TTker with over 4M followers has been named a suspect in the death of a therapist found wrapped in a tarp on the side of Highway 51; “very physical and very violent attack”
William ‘Nicky’ Abraham, 69, a well-known therapist and motivational speaker, was found in a ditch by… pic.twitter.com/xImweL8RpF
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Abraham’s family is devastated and seeking answers. His brother, Tommy Abraham, expressed the anguish that has engulfed them, telling WBRZ, “I want to know who did it, and I want to know why.” He condemned the senseless violence, adding, “No one should take a life but God. No one. He’s the only one that can take a life, and for someone to take someone else’s life, you’re a coward.”
Abraham was a man of many roles—having spent 14 years as a Catholic priest before transitioning into work as a therapist and motivational speaker. He specialized in helping those struggling with substance abuse, anxiety, and depression and had worked extensively with the LGBTQ community.
His colleagues and loved ones remember him as a gentle, compassionate soul. His attorney, Jarret Ambeau, voiced the disbelief shared by many, saying, “I’m absolutely devastated and completely surprised that something like that could’ve happened to a man who I believe to be so tender and so gentle and have such a service heart.”
As authorities continue piecing together what led to this horrifying crime, the public is left to grapple with the grim reality that behind TikTok fame and motivational speeches, a tragic and violent mystery is still unfolding.