In the small town of Franklinton, Louisiana, the life of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux, a mother of three, was cut short in October 2017. Friends, unable to reach her, went to her home just outside the town limits and made a grim discovery. Arceneaux was found in her bed, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
Initially, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office treated the case as an unclassified death, with some officials suggesting the possibility of suicide.
This narrative, however, was soon contradicted by the official autopsy, which ruled her death a homicide. Despite this finding, the investigation languished for years, causing immense frustration for Arceneaux's family who were adamant that she would not have taken her own life. The case was eventually handed over to the Louisiana State Police in 2019 at the family's request, as they felt there was a lack of progress.
The push for justice gained significant momentum through the efforts of Arceneaux's nephew, Tucker Simmons. A filmmaker by trade, he created a podcast titled 'Freeze Frame' which delved into the details of his aunt's case, questioning the initial handling of the investigation and bringing renewed public attention to the mystery surrounding her death. The podcast is credited with helping to revive the cold case.
A major breakthrough in the investigation came in December 2025, when the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, under new leadership, announced a significant development. Troy Scott Jordan, a 59-year-old resident of Franklinton who was reportedly in an on-and-off romantic relationship with Arceneaux, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The arrest was the result of a renewed and collaborative effort between the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office, which utilized modern forensic advancements and fresh investigative perspectives.
In January 2026, a grand jury formally indicted Troy Scott Jordan on one count of second-degree murder in connection with Donna Arceneaux's death. This indictment marked a pivotal moment in the long and arduous journey for answers and justice for Arceneaux and her loved ones. If convicted of second-degree murder in Louisiana, Jordan faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case is now set to proceed through the judicial system in Washington Parish.
