Jesse Brooks Varnon, 22, allegedly alerted deputies to an injured woman before being taken into custody on multiple felony allegations.
TOPEKA, Kan. — A 22-year-old Topeka man is being held without bond after a woman was found dead inside a home southeast of Topeka following a reported domestic disturbance Tuesday night.
Jesse Brooks Varnon was arrested Wednesday, September 23, in connection with the woman’s death at a residence in the 3600 block of SE Shawnee Heights Road.
According to the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Varnon approached deputies in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center at 320 S. Kansas Avenue at approximately 11:52 p.m. Tuesday, September 22.
He reportedly told deputies that a disturbance had occurred at the Shawnee Heights Road residence and that a woman inside had suffered serious injuries.
Deputies find woman critically injured
Deputies immediately responded to the residence and entered the home, where they found an adult woman suffering from critical injuries.
Officers attempted lifesaving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim or disclosed her relationship to Varnon. Investigators have also not released details about the circumstances of her injuries or what led to the reported disturbance.
Booking records reveal six allegations
Varnon was taken into custody at the Law Enforcement Center and booked into the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, September 23.
According to the booking record provided to This Is Topeka, Varnon faces the following arrest allegations under warrant number 2026-29612:
- First-degree murder in the commission of a felony.
- Aggravated burglary of a dwelling involving a felony, theft, domestic violence or a sexually motivated offense.
- Aggravated battery involving the use of a weapon causing great bodily harm, disfigurement or death.
- Domestic battery involving bodily harm to a family member or person in a dating relationship.
- Criminal damage to property valued at less than $1,000.
- Interference with law enforcement involving the concealment, alteration or destruction of evidence in a felony case.
The booking record lists no bond for all six allegations.
The first-degree murder allegation is specifically categorized as murder committed during the commission of a felony. The booking information does not identify which underlying felony prosecutors may rely upon.
The aggravated burglary and domestic battery allegations also do not establish the precise relationship between Varnon and the deceased woman.
Investigation remains ongoing
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly disclosed a suspected motive, identified the weapon allegedly involved or explained the circumstances surrounding the evidence-tampering allegation.
As of the latest publicly available reporting Wednesday, formal criminal charges had not yet been filed.
Varnon remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
This Is Topeka will continue following the investigation as authorities release the victim’s identity and additional court information becomes available.
