The NOPD Violent Offenders Warrant Squad today (May 22, 2017) arrested Troy Varnado (DOB: 05-10-1988) in connection with the June 21, 2015 homicide of Lindsay Nichols.

At approximately 7:17 a.m., police responded to a call of a vehicle fire at the intersection of Lake Forest and Michoud boulevards.  After the NOFD extinguished the fire, officers discovered the body of an unidentified female burned in the trunk of the vehicle. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy and identified the female as 31-year-old Lindsay Nichols.

During the course of the investigation, Homicide Detective Robert Barrere learned that Nichols was last seen by her friends leaving a nightclub on Downman Road around 4 a.m. on June 21. Based on cell phone records obtained and DNA evidence recovered from the scene, Barrere determined Nichols left the nightclub and met up with Thayon Samson, who was arrested in July 2015 and charged in connection with the incident.

Varnado, who was located and arrested today by VOWS officers at a residence in the Seventh District, was recently indicted in the case by an Orleans Parish grand jury. Varnado charges of second degree murder, accessory after the fact to second degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and obstruction of justice.

A photo of Varnado is not available at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Detective Rob Barrere at 504-658-5300. Citizens with information that can help solve crimes are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.