She Got a Restraining Order After Her Boyfriend Threw Her Down the Stairs. Then He Shot Her — and Himself

A New Orleans woman was killed in a murder-suicide by her boyfriend less than two months after a protective order against him was filed on her behalf. 

According to authorities, on Aug. 3., at around 9:40 a.m., 54-year-old Paul Varnado shot and killed his 54-year-old girlfriend, Alanna Singleton, at her home before killing himself, WAFB, 4WWL and WBRZ reported, citing court records. 

The courts had recently enacted a protective order that said Varnado had to stay at least 100 yards away from Singleton after he threw her down a flight of stairs during a fight on June 24, per the local outlets. 

Authorities said their fight started after Varnado accused Singleton of having his car keys and cellphone, 4WWL reported, citing court records. An arrest affidavit detailed that Singleton was left bleeding and severely bruised after the fight. 

Varnado was arrested that day for domestic abuse battery, booked and then released after signing a protective order. But despite the court order, Varnado continued to contact Singleton upon release, the local outlets reported, citing authorities.

This marked the second time Singleton had filed a restraining order against Varnado in recent months. A previous order was issued in March and dropped on May 14, per WAFB.

This one, however, was still active at the time of the shooting and remained in effect through the end of 2025.

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According to Domestic Shelters, a leading source in domestic violence prevention, many times protection orders can enrage an abuser and lead to increased abuse upon seeing that their victim is breaking free from their cycle of abuse. 

“It’s a very dangerous time when a woman wants to leave, whether or not there’s an order in place,” Abdula R. Greene, a former domestic violence prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, wrote to Domestic Shelters. “Now the aggressor sees they don’t have the control and oftentimes they want to take the control back.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.