Sheriff: Patterson man charged with manslaughter after woman died from his abuse

A 51-year-old Patterson man has been charged with manslaughter after authorities determined that a 56-year-old Bayou Vista woman died as a result the injuries she sustained from the man throwing her on the ground and repeatedly kicking her, according to a St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office news release.
This morning, Troy Benoit, 51, of Patterson was charged with manslaughter in the Feb. 27 death of Melba Royer, 56, of Bayou Vista, the release said.
On Feb. 12, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report from a hospital of a possible domestic battery. Investigators learned that Benoit and Royer were involved in an argument during which Benoit threw Royer to the ground, grabbed her face and neck, and repeatedly kicked her, the release stated. Royer suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung, the release stated. On Feb. 18, detectives arrested Benoit on the charge of domestic abuse battery, and he was jailed without bail.
On Feb. 27, deputies responded to a medical emergency involving an unresponsive female at a residence on Teche Road in Bayou Vista. The woman, identified as Royer, was pronounced deceased in her home by the St. Mary Parish Coroner, the release said. Detectives began a criminal investigation into Royer’s death. Investigators learned the autopsy report indicated that Royer’s death was caused by complications from blunt force injuries that were the result of the battery, the release stated. Benoit remains incarcerated at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center with no bail set.