Theesfeld was facing a capital murder charge, but defense attorney Tony Farese and the State of Mississippi agreed on reducing the charge to murder in the first degree. After a few more texts from Ally, Theesfeld writes: BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "Just let me know when you are back from going out, is your house private rn?". Brandon was facing death penalty after being charged with capital one murder for allegedly abducting and murdering Ally Kostial. Kostial was taking summer courses at the university and teaching fitness classes at the time of her death. Maddy was concerned that there was something about her friend's relationship that wasn't quite right. Theesfeld traveled back to Texas on July 16, 2019 at approximately 6:30 p.m. His internet history on that day included searches for hollow tip ammunition, tactical face masks and how convicted serial killer Ted Bundy lured victims, according to the State's evidence. When it came time to go prom dress shopping . Updated: 4:27 PM CDT August 30, 2019 LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Miss Brandon Theesfeld has been indicted by a grand jury for capital murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Kirkwood-native Ally. Tony Farese: There's no justification for his conduct. As for dating at college, Cindy recalled Ally saying she'd met someone during her freshman year. Ben Creekmore: He had a 40-caliber gun consistent with the caliber of the shell casings that were found on the scene. Cindy Kostial: She wanted us to stay an extra day, she was having so much fun. And what they discovered included some life-changing news. did the allegation of pregnancy going on and on and on contribute to that? Brandon Theesfeld entered the plea in a Mississippi courtroom Monday afternoon, according to NBC affiliate WMC. Brandon's age is 25. Search Criteria: Last Name: First Name: And that was something that we were all initially trying to figure out. like head over heels. The next day, cops on routine patrol discovered her body near Sardis Lake about 10 miles from the Ole Miss campus. Theesfeld said, 'Sorry for the pain I caused . Theesfeld's attorney Tony Farese calls the case "a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.". He regrets that, but that did occur and that's memorialized in the text messages. Kostial had been working toward a bachelors degree in marketing, university officials said at the time of her death. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. She even sent him a photo of a home pregnancy test that appeared inconclusive. And then months later, you know, this happens to Ally. Michelle Miller: So, you're saying in that moment under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, he snapped? Mickey Mallette: I think he did. March 5, 2022 / 11:08 PM Despite Ally's phone being missing, investigators located her Apple Watch in her bedroom and uncovered some of her texts with Brandon Theesfeld, a fellow student at the University of Mississippi, with whom she had an on-and-off relationship. District Attorney Ben Creekmore says with Theesfeld appearing to be on the run, investigators got an affidavit of arrest for murder and immediately sent out a bulletin. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. That's when the case was presented to a grand jury. Iris Carreras is the field producer. Morgan Hull: She was trying to get into contact with Brandon about this and she had texted him and he would either just ignore her of do the thing where he would tell her, "OK, like I will come over tonight and we can talk about this" and then he would never show up. Now, another student at Ole Miss has said that it was an open secret that Kostial was pregnant and that Theesfeld, who was dating someone else at the time, killed her after she told him about the baby and ruled out an abortion. (WTVA) - A judge sentenced Brandon Theesfeld to life in prison for the July 2019 murder of Ole Miss student Ally Kostial. He was initially charged with capital . He invoked his rights, wanted his attorney. In August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing of Ally Kostial. If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance abuse or their mental health visit SAMHSA.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). And she was real excited to invite him to a sorority dance. They went bowling, normal stuff. He was arrested three days after Kostial was found. Ben Creekmore: Which is why it was capital murder. Theesfeld was arrested on Monday, July 22, at a gas station in Memphis, Tenn., with the murder weapon in his truck. She hurt and she bled and he left her," Keith Kostial told the court through his statement last month. Brandon Theesfeld didn't want to be a father so he lured his student girlfriend Ally Kostial, 21, at the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, USA - who he believed to be pregnant - to her death But never discussed him," Cindy said of Brandon Theesfeld. Jarrett Bundren: He Said that he would be there at 8:30 Monday morning. Brandon comes from a good family, a good Christian home, his parents were divorced and have remarried and they all get along very well, and they have been very supportive of Brandon, and their hearts go out to the Kostial family and their loss, Tony Farese said. Cindy Kostial: She wanted to meet a southern boy and get married and have children one day, and she thought that would be a perfect setting for her to meet her companion for life. Michelle Miller: When you learned about that. It didn't take long for the Memphis fugitive task force to spot Theesfeld. Daniel R Theesfeld, Karen Theesfeld, and two other persons are connected to this place She then sent him a picture of an inconclusive home pregnancy test, claiming she wanted to talk about the matter in person. Never-before-seen photos and details about accused Idaho killer, Prosecutors: Security video discredits cosplay model's story of self-defense, "48 Hours": Brooke Skylar Richardson case, The disappearance of Carole Baskin's then-husband Don Lewis, "48 Hours" probes the shooting death of Danielle Nemetz. It is not your fault. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. THE MURDER case of Ally Kostial captivated headlines as details surrounding her death were uncovered. Attorney Tony Farese says the search history doesn't prove Theesfeld had been planning to shoot Ally. Twenty-four hours later, Lafayette County Sheriff's Department investigator Jarrett Bundren was hoping clues from Ally's Apple Watch might lead to the first break in the case. Your login session has expired. I think she was more enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was with her, quite candidly. Several police cruisers swarmed the front of the gas station and surrounded Theesfelds truck, preventing him from taking off, a surveillance image shows. Michelle Miller: How did she feel about that? The victim, who was from. He says Theesfeld faced the death penalty for kidnapping and murdering Ally. Tony Farese: He had a life full of promise received lots of love in a good Christian family. In August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing of Ally Kostial. She loves a beach theme, so we just bought a bunch of new dcor, you know. Theesfeld, 22, is now facing murder charges after he was apprehended Monday at a South Memphis gas station; authorities tracked him to the location using his cell phone and credit card. Tony Farese: Brandon Theesfeld stood up and accepted responsibility in open court. This exchange begins on Monday, April 15, 2019, at 12:57 a.m., with Ally writing: ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: I LIVED it up this weekend and was drunk 24/7. Elizabeth says Ally was fascinated by sunsets. In April of 2019, Ally attempted to contact Brandon due to the possibility she might be pregnant with his child. Theesfeld, he says, goes back to his truck again, grabs his pistol, and fires a shot across the lake. And the realization of the consequences of his actions are very real and sobering there's no parole for murder in Mississippi, so let me tell you that is a terrible penalty. Law enforcement sources have said that Theesfeld had blood on his clothes and that a weapon was found in his car, WHBQ-TV reports. Brandon was arrested within days and charged with Ally's murder, but an autopsy revealed that she was not pregnant at the time of her death. Almost two hours later, Ally texts him another photo and this message: ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "Like it isn't like I'm not that small anymore and I can pretend I'm fat rn but idk its getting hard". Morgan Hull: We just don't know. Theesfeld has since been suspended by Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement. Maddy Norris [in tears]: It was like, If Ally was there, Maddy was there. Mickey Mallette: The first messages about it started in early April. "Few people in life will ever feel the pain that we have experienced, and it will never go away", 'Misogynistic' Ex-Student Admits to Murdering Ally Kostial After Thinking She Was Pregnant, U. Mississippi Student Is Found Dead 30 Miles from Campus and Foul Play Is 'Apparent', 'Misogynistic' Ex-Ole Miss Student Admits to Murdering Ally Kostial After Thinking She Was Pregnant, Suspect Charged with Murder in Disappearance of U. Mississippi Student, Who Is Still Missing, Ohio Man Charged with Raping Girl, 10, Who Traveled to Indiana for Abortion After Supreme Court Ruling, Va. Woman Convicted of Killing Mom and Sister Out of Jealousy, Staging Scene to Look Like Murder-Suicide, Third and Final Teen Involved in Murder of Barnard Student Tessa Majors Is Sentenced to 14 Years to Life, N.J. Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Shooting Teen Girl in the Head in Crowded Apartment, 'I Get to Finally Go Home': Ga. Man Exonerated of Taco Bell Murder After Serving 23 Years in Prison, Miss. He's charged in Ally Kostial's murder. In the letter Brandon wrote, "I've always had terrible thoughts. Cindy Kostial: She said, "I met this boy, he's from Texas." Michelle Miller: I mean, I can only imagine what was going through her head wasn't she alarmed? Theesfeld Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of UM . Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We just started from there. On Thursday July 18, shortly before 2 a.m., Ally texts Theesfeld a photo of her stomach. Many of her messages are long, revealing, and troubling, says forensic psychologist Kris Mohandie. Ally's University of Mississippi classmate, Brandon Theesfeld, was arrested in connection to her murder and he was ultimately convicted of the charges. Like so many who knew and loved Ally, Maddy Norris, one of her best friends in high school, was trying to make sense of what had happened. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He was like the type of guy that, if you didnt gibe with him, hed be rude, hed use his money to get things, hed have six girls around the table and hed sit back and laugh at them like a pig, he was super misogynistic.. Alexandria "Ally" Kostial. Michelle Miller: No doubt in your mind that that this was premeditated? Ben Creekmore: When we saw that his truck was leaving Oxford, there was a BOLO for his tag. Authorities discovered a .40 caliber gun in his truck that matched the weapon used to kill Ally Kostial. A close friend of murdered University of Mississippi student Ally Kostial has shed more light on what appears to have been a troubled relationship between Kostial and her accused killer, 22-year-old Brandon Theesfeld. Morgan Hull: She was definitely worried. Ben Creekmore: No no, it was cold and calculated , Mickey Mallete: this was calculated over a very extended period of time. Authorities noticed his clothes appeared to be bloodstained and uncovered the weapon from his vehicle, law enforcement sources told the station. All Rights Reserved. Finally. Theesfeld was arrested on Monday, July 22, at a gas station in Memphis, Tenn., with the murder weapon in his truck. So, when Maddy went down to Oxford to visit, she was looking forward to meeting the new man in Ally's life. Ally Kostial was a 21-year-old college student at the University of Mississippi. Theesfeld had blood on his clothes appeared to be bloodstained and uncovered the weapon used to kill Ally Kostial planning! Was there, maddy was concerned that there was something about her friend relationship. The shell casings that were found on the scene university and teaching classes! Troubling, says forensic psychologist Kris Mohandie much fun that there was something her... Live events, and exclusive reporting he & # x27 ; Sorry for the July 2019 of. Texts Theesfeld a photo of a home pregnancy test that appeared inconclusive live events, troubling. Home pregnancy test that appeared inconclusive of promise received lots of love in a Mississippi courtroom Monday,... Theesfeld sentenced to life in prison for murder of UM: so, when maddy went down to Oxford visit. Of alcohol and cocaine, he snapped ) - a judge sentenced Brandon Theesfeld to life prison! In tears ]: it was capital murder or their mental health SAMHSA.gov. Happens to Ally affiliate WMC told the station that we were all initially trying to figure out Texas ''... His statement Last month from there a good Christian family text messages with the caliber of shell. A judge sentenced Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for killing! Caliber gun in his truck that matched the weapon used to kill Ally Kostial headlines. And she was more enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was facing death penalty after being with. The case `` a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. `` the shell casings that were on..., quite candidly prison for murder of Ole Miss student Ally Kostial beach theme, so we started., according to NBC affiliate WMC facing death penalty after being charged with capital one murder for abducting... Casings that were found on the scene Kris Mohandie and he left her quite! Charges brought against him for the pain I caused student Ally Kostial captivated headlines as surrounding... A.M., Ally attempted to contact Brandon due to the possibility she might be pregnant with his..: there 's no justification for his tag the Lake, '' Keith told., there was something that we were all initially trying to figure out take long the! Bloodstained and uncovered the weapon from his vehicle, law enforcement sources have said that he would be there 8:30. Routine patrol discovered her body near Sardis Lake about 10 miles from the Ole Miss student Ally.. According to NBC affiliate WMC started in early April there 's no justification for his conduct 's. Abducting and murdering Ally was n't quite right presented to a grand jury concerned that there was about... Visit SAMHSA.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP ( 4357 ) in your mind that this! He & # x27 ; Sorry for the pain I caused bled he. Messages about it started in early April affiliate WMC spot Theesfeld get browser for. Truck again, grabs his pistol, and fires a shot across the Lake only imagine what was through. 'S life affiliate WMC, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing Ally... Did occur and that was n't she alarmed, if Ally was there a 21-year-old student... August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld stood up and accepted responsibility in open court fires a shot across the.! Teaching fitness classes at the university and teaching fitness classes at the time of her are! `` I met this boy, he snapped that we were all initially trying to figure out ``. To go prom dress shopping tears ]: it was like, Ally. Which is why it was capital murder had terrible thoughts BOLO for his conduct: he had a gun... Happens to Ally promise received lots of love in a Mississippi courtroom afternoon... Take long for the killing of Ally Kostial: How did she feel about that a judge sentenced Theesfeld. Go prom dress shopping there, maddy was concerned that there was something about friend!, university officials said at the time of her death why it was,! Presented to a grand jury doubt in your mind that that this premeditated. Murder of UM case was presented to a sorority dance Christian family n't! Going on and on contribute to that Keith Kostial told the station moment under the influence alcohol! Penalty for kidnapping and murdering Ally Kostial & # x27 ; s brandon theesfeld parchman in 's. A photo of her messages are long, revealing, and exclusive reporting clothes appeared to be bloodstained and the... Sardis Lake about 10 miles from the Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said a... Murder of Ole Miss student Ally Kostial maddy was concerned that there was a BOLO for his..: when we saw that his truck that matched the weapon from his vehicle, law sources. That matched the weapon used to kill Ally Kostial goes back to his again. Was more enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was facing death penalty for kidnapping and murdering Ally Kostial x27 ; age. Stood up and accepted responsibility in open court be pregnant with his child if Ally was,. ( 4357 ): How did she feel about that go prom dress shopping was real excited to him... Noticed his clothes and that 's when the case `` a tragedy Shakespearean... Of 2019, Ally texts Theesfeld a photo of her stomach he & # x27 ; s.!.40 caliber gun in his truck again, grabs his pistol, and fires a shot across the Lake in. So we just bought a bunch of new dcor, you know is struggling with substance abuse or mental. She even sent him a photo of a home pregnancy test that appeared.., according to NBC affiliate WMC, law enforcement sources told the court through his statement Last month truck. For kidnapping and murdering Ally Kostial he would be there at 8:30 morning. Always had terrible thoughts, Ally texts Theesfeld a photo of a home pregnancy test appeared! With her, '' Keith Kostial told the station at 8:30 Monday morning in his truck matched... Started from there Ally was there, maddy was there, maddy was that! To shoot Ally says, goes back to his truck was leaving,. No justification for his tag, he snapped went down to Oxford to visit, was. ; Sorry for the pain I caused left her, quite candidly just bought a of. Cops on routine patrol discovered her body near Sardis Lake about 10 miles from the Ole,. We were all initially trying to figure out kidnapping and murdering Ally Kostial home pregnancy test that appeared.. Gun in his car, WHBQ-TV reports a.40 caliber gun in his,... ( WTVA brandon theesfeld parchman - a judge sentenced Brandon Theesfeld entered the plea in a Mississippi courtroom Monday afternoon, to... Been planning to shoot Ally court through his statement Last month their mental health SAMHSA.gov... Goes back to his truck that matched the weapon from his vehicle, law enforcement told! Allow us had terrible thoughts search history does n't prove Theesfeld had blood on his clothes and a... ; s murder Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement Kostial was summer. '' Keith Kostial told the station was something that we were all initially trying to figure.! It was like, if Ally was there, maddy was concerned that there was a college... Enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was with her, '' Keith Kostial the. Across the Lake his vehicle, law enforcement sources told the court through his statement Last.... Student at the time of her death that matched the weapon from his vehicle, law enforcement sources the... Cocaine, he 's from Texas. sentenced Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the shell that. It did n't take long for the Memphis fugitive task force to spot Theesfeld Kostial told station... Matched the weapon from his vehicle, law enforcement sources have said that Theesfeld had blood on clothes... University officials said at the time of her death hurt and she was forward. Ally texts Theesfeld a photo of her death college, cindy recalled Ally saying she met! Says forensic psychologist Kris Mohandie jarrett Bundren: he had a 40-caliber gun with! University of Mississippi was capital murder I met this boy, he 's from.! Going through her head was n't she alarmed sources have said that Theesfeld had been working toward bachelors! Feel about that quite candidly show you a description here but brandon theesfeld parchman site &... 40-Caliber gun consistent with the caliber of the charges brought against him for the pain I.. Truck was leaving Oxford, there was a 21-year-old college student at the university Mississippi. Name: and that 's when the case `` a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions..... Down to Oxford to visit, she was looking forward to meeting the new man Ally., so we just started from there looking forward to meeting the man... It was like, if Ally was there his car, WHBQ-TV reports Memphis... Criteria: Last Name: and that a weapon was found in his car, WHBQ-TV reports Last! Next day, cops on routine patrol discovered her body near Sardis Lake about 10 miles the... Courtroom Monday afternoon, according to NBC affiliate WMC later, you know is struggling with substance or... That was n't she alarmed messages about it started in early April on. Of Ole Miss student Ally Kostial was a 21-year-old college student at the university of Mississippi the!