In the summer of 2025, the life of 54-year-old Alanna C. Singleton, a resident of Zachary, Louisiana, was cut tragically short in an apparent murder-suicide. A woman known for her generous heart and nurturing spirit, she was a constant and loving presence in the lives of her two sons and grandchildren. Having been married for 33 years before her husband's passing, she found herself navigating a new chapter of life.
In the months leading up to her death, Singleton had entered into a new
relationship with 54-year-old Paul Varnado. This relationship, however, was marked by a pattern of domestic abuse. Friends and family grew concerned about Varnado's behavior and urged Singleton to distance herself from him. The situation escalated on June 24, 2025, when an argument over car keys and a cellphone turned violent. Varnado allegedly threw Singleton down a flight of stairs, leaving her bleeding and severely bruised.
Following this incident, Varnado was arrested for domestic abuse battery. As a condition of his release on bond, a protective order was issued on June 25, requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away from Singleton. This was not the first time Singleton had sought legal protection from Varnado, having previously obtained a restraining order against him in March of the same year, which was later dropped in May. Despite the active protective order and the pleas of her family, Singleton allowed Varnado back into her life, a decision her son believes was influenced by her empathetic nature.
On the morning of August 3, 2025, East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies responded to a call at Singleton's home on Arleen Avenue. Inside, they discovered the bodies of both Alanna Singleton and Paul Varnado. Investigators determined that Varnado had shot and killed Singleton before turning the gun on himself. An investigation into Varnado's past revealed a prior arrest in 2022 for domestic abuse battery against his then-wife of 15 years. The tragic end to Alanna Singleton's life highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the challenges faced by those attempting to leave abusive relationships.
