Jeff Davis Parish Woman Found Dead After Days-Long Search
IOWA, La. — A days-long search for a missing Jeff Davis Parish woman has come to a heartbreaking end. Authorities confirmed that 53-year-old Bonnie Signorelli Fontenot was found dead Wednesday afternoon, bringing sorrow to family, friends, and the wider community who had been desperately hoping for her safe return.
Discovery of the Body
According to the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office (JDSO), Fontenot’s body was discovered at approximately 12:40 p.m. in the median between Interstate 10 and Frontage Road near U.S. 165, in the town of Iowa. Deputies and investigators were called to the scene shortly after a passerby reported seeing a body in the area.
The cause of death has not yet been released, and authorities have not indicated whether foul play is suspected. An autopsy has been ordered by the Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Missing Since August 22
Fontenot had been reported missing after she was last seen on August 22, 2025. Loved ones and local authorities launched a search effort, circulating photos and descriptions of her in hopes of locating her quickly. As days passed with no sign of her, concern continued to grow, particularly as temperatures in Louisiana reached dangerous highs during that period.
Family members described her disappearance as completely out of character. “Bonnie was always in touch with her loved ones,” said one relative. “When no one could reach her, we knew something wasn’t right.”
Community Response
The discovery has devastated her family and shaken the community of Jeff Davis Parish. Friends and neighbors have taken to social media to share condolences and memories, remembering Bonnie as a kindhearted, compassionate woman who was devoted to her family.
Local organizations have also expressed their sorrow. “This is a tragic loss for our parish,” one community leader said. “We grieve with the family and pray for their comfort during this unimaginable time.”
Ongoing Investigation
While no immediate details have been released regarding how Fontenot ended up near I-10, investigators continue to piece together her final movements. Detectives are reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing potential witnesses, and tracing her activities from the last time she was seen on August 22.
The Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation remains active.
Remembering Bonnie Signorelli Fontenot
Though her life ended tragically, those who knew Bonnie remember her as a woman full of warmth and generosity. Family members described her as someone who “never met a stranger” and who had a gift for making others feel at ease.
Friends say her laughter was contagious, and her willingness to help others was one of her defining qualities. “She was the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back,” a longtime friend said.
Moving Forward
As the Fontenot family prepares for funeral arrangements, they are asking the community to continue keeping them in their prayers. A memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming days.
For now, the parish mourns the loss of a beloved resident while awaiting answers about the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.