McComb Enterprise-Journal

Slain dentist’s girlfriend, insurer sued over life insurance policy

By John Surratt | Enterprise-Journal
Posted: 09/12/08 - 12:44:00 pm CDT

The sister of dentist Dr. Doug Morel is suing the woman who shot him and the company that had a life insurance policy on him for more than $1 million dollars.

According to the suit filed on Aug. 27 with the Pike County Circuit Clerk’s office, Deidre M. Mazerov, the executor for Morel’s estate, is suing Lisa Varnado for $115,000, and Varnado and Great-West Life and Annuity Co. of Colorado jointly for $1.25 million.

McComb attorney Ed Bean, who represents Varnado, declined to comment about the suit. No trial date has been set.

Varnado, 43, who was Morel’s business manager and girlfriend, shot and killed Morel on April 1 at the couple’s house at 6533 Bales Road in the Tangipahoa community of Amite County. She is a beneficiary on the insurance policy along with Morel’s two children.

The shooting occurred during what Amite County authorities called a domestic dispute. Varnado was charged with manslaughter in the case, but an Amite County grand jury in August did not find sufficient evidence to indict her on the charge.

According to the suit, which gives one side of the legal dispute, Mazerov claims that Varnado used her position and relationship with Morel to allegedly get credit cards in Morel’s mother’s name, and allegedly took money from the business for her own use.

The suit also claims that before his death, Varnado encouraged Morel to get a life insurance policy from Great-West Life and Annuity, “even though the defendant had no insurable interest in the life of Dr. Morel.”

Great-West Life and Annuity, according to the lawsuit, failed to investigate whether Varnado had an insurable interest and cancel the policy, which Mazerov claimed might have served as a motive for Morel’s death.

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What wrong wrote on Sep 13, 2008 2:54 PM:

" So where is all the comments on this matter from the so call good people of McComb. Why, is it because its not the right race to people you good people would like to comment on. Connect the dots. "

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