Lavarr Carroll is the Bridgeville landscaper who was found dead Sunday morning, May 8, launching an investigation by officials who said video showed his body being dumped behind Dairy Queen in Scott Township.
Carroll was a 43-year-old landscaper whose death prompted an outpouring of support on social media. Allegheny County Police are asking the public for help identifying those seen in the surveillance video.
Scott Township and Bridgeville are neighboring towns located in the southern Pittsburgh suburbs.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477), or on its social media sites. Callers can remain anonymous.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Are Seeking Help in Identifying the Driver & Passengers of a Dark Colored Sedan Captured on Surveillance Footage
The police investigation into Carroll’s death began at 8:38 a.m. Sunday, May 8, 2022, when someone called 911 to report the body of a deceased man was found at Booth Way and Boden Avenue in Scott Township, according to a statement from Allegheny County Police. Scott Township Police were the first to respond to the scene, and confirmed a male’s body was found. Scott Township Police called for the help of the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit, which responded to assist.
The police departments obtained surveillance footage and the vehicle they believe was on the video. Watch the video here.
“Investigators obtained video which showed a dark colored sedan stop at the scene at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday when the victim’s body was dragged from the sedan and placed at the scene. Investigators believe they have located the vehicle involved and are working to identify the occupants,” the statement said.
2. Carroll Was an Army Veteran & He Owned His Own Landscaping Business for More Than 12 Years
Carroll owned his own landscaping business, Mowers in Motion, for more than 12 years, according to his LinkedIn page. He opened the business in April 2010.
Before opening his own business, he worked for several companies including working as a “helper” at J and A South Park, assisting plumbers on calls, replacing sewer and gas lines and completing work on hot water heaters, he wrote on the page. He also worked as a lawn foreman for 4 Seasons Lawn and Landscape Design and as a lawn crew leader for JT Landscaping. He handled an average of 90 customer service calls per week, his page said.
Before he worked as a landscaper, he earned an associate’s degree from International Academy of Design and Technology in computer information management, his page says. He graduated from South Fayette High School in 1996. In high school, he participated in skiing, basketball and football, he wrote on his page.
A Facebook friend also described Carroll as an army veteran.
“R.w.g Army Vet Lavarr Carroll ! Salute,” the friend wrote on Facebook.
Another person wrote that she had just seen Carroll the night before. She said she wished she had given him a ride home. Just a few days earlier, they were talking about their future plans, she wrote.
“I really hate Facebook sometimes just learned a friend passed away,” she wrote. “I just seen you lastnight Lavarr Carroll and a few nights ago at the bar when u walked in you gave me the biggest hug!!! We talked about our dreams and goals in life and had some pretty good ideas. Wish we could of made something great I bet we would of if we had more time. This one hurts…. d*** man I should of rode you home when I seen you I wish I was there for you!!! Rwg sweetheart I wish I would of gotten to spend more time with you to share laughs aspirations and get more of your great hugs!! U even rubbed my back before I’ll never forget you boogie.”
3. Police Said Carroll’s Body Showed No Obvious Signs of Trauma
The body of Carroll was found “with no obvious signs of trauma,” officials said in statements. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified Carroll in its news release Monday, May 9, 2022.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner did not release Carroll’s cause or manner of death in its initial statement. WTAE reported the Dairy Queen in the area where Carroll’s body was found has been closed.
4. Friends Flooded Social Media With Tributes to Carroll as News of His Death Spread in the Community
On Sunday, May 8, 2022, at approximately 8:38 a.m., County 9-1-1 received a report of a deceased male in the area of Booth Way and Boden Avenue in Scott. Scott Township Police responded to the scene and discovered a 43-year-old male deceased with no obvious signs of trauma.
Social media was being flooded with tributes to Carroll in the day after his death. Facebook friends described him as a kind person who left a lasting mark on their lives.
Friends sometimes called him by his nickname, “Boogie.”
“My heart is so heavy,” one person wrote on Facebook. “You were truly one of a kind, my friend. You always had me laughing, always kept it real, and we always had each others back. I will miss your smile, your laugh, and your energy. Your light will forever shine on us, Boogie, and you will forever be in the hearts of everyone you’ve impacted (and trust me, there are so many.) Rest in peace Lavarr Carroll. Till we meet again.”
“Lavarr Carroll so sorry to hear this news man!!!,” one person wrote on Facebook. “Your gonna be missed. Always wa a happy pleasant dude to see!! Loved having a beer or doing yard work with ya!! Rest easy brother you will be missed!!”
“RIP Lavarr Carroll May you find God’s peace on the other side of Heavens gates my friend. Miss you Boogie. “Don’t you do my look without me, McDoogus!” #RWG,” another person wrote on Facebook.
“R.I.P. Lavarr Carroll, AKA, L Boogie,” another person wrote. “So thankful to have had such good times with you the last time we saw one another at The Getaway. You were such an intelligent, hysterical and reliable friend to many. We’re going to miss you my brother. Our hearts are broken. Peace be with you and your family.”
Another Facebook friend described him as a childhood friend.
Just found out my childhood neighbor and friend Lavarr Carroll has past away. If anyone has any information please let me know. My heart is broken he was the kindest person. My prayers for his family,” the person wrote.
5. Community Members Said They Were Shocked by the Death That Occurred in a Typically Quiet Community
Channel 11 obtained surveillance video that shows a man’s body being dumped in a Scott Township alley Sunday morning.
Community members told local news outlets they typically do not see police activity in their area. The community is a quiet one, they said. WPXI spoke to a man who lives nearby, who was walking his dog when he saw police arrive on the scene.
“I always take this route, I saw the commotion and everything so I circled the block, and all the neighbors told me what had happened,” Azizi Obasefu told WPXI. “We never make the news, so, this is a tragedy of course, but that doesn’t occur here.”
READ NEXT: Azuree Charles 9-Year-Old New Kensington Boy Found Dead: 5 Fast Facts