The short answer is yes. Terryon Thomas, the 21-year-old TikTok sensation known to millions as Mr. Prada, remains behind bars in Louisiana.
Honestly, the transition from viral comedy skits to a high-profile murder case was so fast it left the internet spinning. One day he’s posting about school drama and the next, his mugshot is everywhere. Since his arrest in late 2024, the legal system has moved at its usual sluggish pace. He hasn't gone home. He hasn't posted a TikTok. He's been sitting in a cell waiting for his day in court.
Why is Mr Prada still in jail?
You've probably seen the headlines, but the specifics are heavy. Thomas is facing a charge of first-degree murder. In Louisiana, that’s about as serious as it gets. The case stems from the death of 69-year-old William Nicholas Abraham, a well-known therapist and former priest in Baton Rouge.
When the body was found wrapped in a tarp on the side of a highway in Tangipahoa Parish, the police started looking for a black Lincoln MKZ. They found it. But the guy behind the wheel didn't pull over. He allegedly backed into a police cruiser and took off, eventually crashing and fleeing on foot. That driver was identified as Thomas.
The upgrade to first-degree murder
Initially, the charges were a bit lower. However, prosecutors bumped it up to first-degree murder because of the victim’s age. Under Louisiana law, if the victim is over 65, the charge can be elevated. This change is massive because it technically makes the case eligible for the death penalty, though it's unclear if the state will actually pursue that.
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Is Mr Prada still in jail: The 2026 status update
As of January 2026, Thomas is still being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He has been denied bond. This means he can’t just pay a certain amount of money to get out while he waits for his trial. The judge decided that based on the nature of the crime and the flight risk—remember, he was caught in Dallas after fleeing Louisiana—he needs to stay put.
There was a lot of back-and-forth recently about his mental state. His defense team requested a sanity hearing. They wanted to know if he was even competent to stand trial. That kind of legal maneuvering often pauses everything else.
- Arraignment: He pleaded not guilty in early 2025.
- Competency: A huge chunk of the last year was spent on psych evaluations.
- Current Hearing: He was scheduled for a follow-up hearing in late January 2026 to finalize whether the trial can proceed.
What actually happened in that apartment?
The details coming out of the warrants are honestly pretty grim. Detectives searched Thomas’s apartment on Mancuso Lane. They didn't just find a messy room; they found what they described as a "violent physical altercation."
There was blood. A lot of it.
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The DNA from that blood matched Dr. Abraham. Witnesses at the complex told police they saw Thomas struggling to drag a blue tarp down the stairs and loading it into the therapist’s car. It’s the kind of evidence that makes it very difficult for a defense team to argue for a pre-trial release.
The motive remains a mystery
Despite all the evidence, we still don't know why. The sheriff's office said there was no evidence Thomas was ever a patient of Dr. Abraham. There were plenty of rumors on TikTok—people speculating about their relationship or some kind of secret connection—but the police haven't confirmed any of it. They've been pretty tight-lipped about the "how" and "why."
Life inside for a former TikTok star
It’s a bizarre fall from grace. Thomas had over 4 million followers on one account alone. He was the king of "relatable" Gen Z content. Now, his "practicing for my mugshot" video, which he posted months before his arrest, feels like a dark prophecy rather than a joke.
In jail, he doesn't have a ring light. He doesn't have a phone. Reports from inside the facility suggest he’s mostly kept away from the general population for his own safety, given his internet fame.
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The legal process is a marathon. We are looking at a potential trial date later in 2026, assuming the competency hearings don't derail the timeline further. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, or worse.
What you should keep an eye on
If you're following this case, the next few months are critical. The court needs to rule on his mental fitness. If he’s found "incompetent," he’ll be sent to a state hospital until he’s deemed fit to understand the charges against him. If he’s found fit, the trial prep starts in earnest.
Key things to watch:
- The Competency Ruling: This decides if the trial even happens this year.
- The Death Penalty Decision: Prosecutors have to formally announce if they are seeking capital punishment.
- Discovery Leaks: As the trial gets closer, more evidence from the apartment and the car will likely become public record.
The "is Mr Prada still in jail" question will remain "yes" for the foreseeable future. There is virtually no scenario where he is released before a jury delivers a verdict. For a guy who lived his life in 15-second clips, the next few years are going to be a very long, very quiet reality check.
Actionable Insights:
To stay truly updated on this case, stop relying on TikTok rumors. Check the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court website for official filing updates or follow local Louisiana news outlets like WBRZ or The Advocate, which have reporters physically in the courtroom for every hearing. The social media commentary is often 90% speculation, and in a first-degree murder case, the real facts are only found in the transcripts.