Newspapering is a name game. Who, what, where, when – emphasis on who.
What seems a thousand years ago The Town Talk decided to begin circulating in Sabine Parish, making it the 11th in which it reported news and sold papers everyday.
The growing impact of then- relatively new Toledo Bend Reservoir on population and economy convinced those in charge of such things that there was a market to be profitably shared.
Not long afterward a story developed that would occupy us, the Sabine Index and the Shreveport Times for the better part of three years.
On Halloween 1980 a Sabine couple was charged with second-degree murder of their 12-year-old son, one of 13 children and two other “wives” living in the same house.
The sad news of a child’s death became shocking as case details unfolded in court documents and testimony.
Autopsy revealed the boy had been tortured and subjected to extreme hunger, weighing less than 45 pounds at death, and his heart just gave out.
The couple elected to have a bench trial (no jury). Testimony revealed the child was subjected to abuse for alleged moral shortcomings — food denied, whippings with extension cord, bound hands and feet.
Abrasions on his hands, autopsy revealed, was from loss of skin from roaches crawling on them and eating skin from his knuckles while he was bound.
Testimony showed the other children had been physically and nutritionally abused.
The couple was found guilty and sentenced to life without parole.
The father’s name was Vivian Kahey.
One of the surviving children was Vivian Kahey Jr., about 11.
Fast forward – October 19, 2026, three arrested in Rapides on five counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts illegal use of a firearm, two counts aggravated criminal damage and being fugitives. Authorities have not provided additional information.
Among the trio, Vivian Kahey III,18, of Boyce.
Names in the news.