In a tragic turn of events on April 8, 2020, 48-year-old Deborah Watts Ross of Zachary, Louisiana, was killed in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. The incident, which also claimed the life of her twin sister, Beverly Jean Watts, unfolded at a residence on Martin Drive near the Fennwood Hills Country Club. The woman was a native of Zachary and had been a resident of Baton Rouge for the last three decades.
The investigation by Zachary Police identified the suspected
shooter as 77-year-old James Brannon. The motive for the tragic event is believed to be linked to the recent death of his wife, Reba Brinson Brannon, who was the mother of Deborah and Beverly. According to police, Brannon was distraught over his wife's passing, which occurred just one day prior to the shooting.
Authorities found the bodies of Deborah Watts Ross, Beverly Watts, and James Brannon at the scene. The investigation concluded that Brannon shot his two stepdaughters before taking his own life. The deaths of the twin sisters, who entered and left the world together, were a profound loss to their family and community. Deborah was remembered as a genuine, loyal, and giving person with a fun-loving spirit, a tender heart, and a beautiful smile. She had a lengthy career in the engineering industry, having worked for companies such as Exxon and Jacobs Engineering.
