On April 12, 2019, according to the prosecutor's evidence read in court, Ally told Theesfeld she might be pregnant. I think what has been explained is he is impaired on alcohol, he's drunk. Ben Creekmore: No no, it was cold and calculated , Mickey Mallete: this was calculated over a very extended period of time. Though it's been years since Cindy and Keith Kostial's daughter Ally was found murdered on July 20, 2019, it still doesn't seem real to them. Theesfeld was sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Court Judge J. Kelly Luther, Sturdivant confirmed. Ryan Smith is the development producer. All Rights Reserved. He continues, "I think this is the end for me. "We didn't know it would be our last one.". She voluntarily gets in the truck. On July 12, Theesfeld told Ally that there was no need to meet, and he travelled from Oxford to his father's home in Texas to retrieve his dad's .40-caliber Glock 22. Jarrett Bundren: Said he came into his house carrying a gun and unloaded the gun in the house. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: The watch was telling me she was having very lengthy text message conversation with Brandon. . To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. View our online Press Pack. They also gave investigators clues about where Theesfeld was heading a week before Ally's death. 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Two days later, Theesfeld was arrested at a gas station in Memphis, and remains in custody as he awaits formal charges. Theesfeld was arrested on Monday, July 22, at a gas station in Memphis, Tenn., with the murder weapon in his truck. The trial was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 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. I'm serious no kid at all it will ruin my life.". a friend of Kostials who wished to remain anonymous described an unstable relationship that caused emotional turmoil for the 21-year-old St. Louis native, and characterized the suspect as misogynistic. Follow the article till the end to learn more. In exchange for his confession, defense attorney Tony Farese and the state of. They say Ally, left, had a bubbly and fun personally that drew people in. Michelle Miller: Was there anything in her behavior that suggested things weren't normal? But I would ask everybody to please give him the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.. She loves a beach theme, so we just bought a bunch of new dcor, you know. Your login session has expired. 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. 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?". They start talking. Theesfeld's defense attorney Tony Farese. Brandon Theesfeld entered the plea in a Mississippi courtroom Monday afternoon, according to NBC affiliate WMC. Two days later, she sent him a photo of an inconclusive home pregnancy test, saying she wanted to talk. Maddy Norris: I mean, it hurt her. At the case's hearing in August of 2021, the victim's mother told the assailant and the court: "I wish I could have kept her away from this evil, callous, scheming, ungrateful, sinister, and violent and corrupt monster. THE MURDER case of Ally Kostial captivated headlines as details surrounding her death were uncovered. It was later discovered that every time he agreed to meet with Kostial, he would cancel last-minute or fail to show up with an explanation. Ive been around him several times, the friend told People. 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. She had texted him so much late at night when she's out drinking and partying, and it got to the point where he did block her phone. He's communicating just enough for a purpose to try to influence her into terminating the pregnancy, if indeed she is pregnant that seems to me to be his only investment in any of these communications. 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". Evidence presented to a grand jury included a letter Brandon Theesfeld wrote on the weekend of Ally Kostial's murder. Cindy Kostial: It was like seven o'clock at night She had just woken up from a nap because she had a test actually on that day. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Ally, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and studying business and marketing, was shot at least nine times. Certainly, could have. Within the next few hours, he was arrested at a gas station. At the time Jake Thompson was a reporter for the local paper, the Oxford Eagle. Michelle Miller: What did ballistics tell you? Reporter Jake Thompson was in the courtroom. Morgan Hull: By junior year we were thick as thieves, like best friends. Theesfeld has since been suspended by Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement. This Carote cookware set is $150 off at Walmart, Nearly 40% of Americans skipped medical care in 2022 over cost, 2023 Sling TV deal: Stream live TV and sports for just $20 a month, Ally Kostial murder: Inside her college life and evidence in the case. "When you got there what did you find?" Michelle Miller: To your knowledge, was she pregnant? Her purse, consisting of her school ID and driver's license, was found near the scene. Jarrett Bundren: He stayed with some friends. In the fall of 2016, Ally Kostial met Brandon Theesfeld, from Fort Worth, Texas. Tony Farese: From Brandon's standpoint, it was a casual, sexual relationship. Kostial's body was found on the morning of July 20, 2019, near Sardis Lake in Oxford, miles away from the university campus. Dozens of Ally's family and friends . "I have not worked a murder where somebody has been shot that many times.". All she wanted was to be enough for him and for him to want her, and he quite literally was the death of her, Kostials friend told People. He admitted his guilt in (Kostials) murder and got emotional as he apologized to both her family and his.. I want to extend our deepest sympathies once again to Allys family, friends and all others who knew her or interacted with her on campus, the Tuesday statement said. As Ally's friends and family waited for Brandon Theesfeld to go to trial for her murder, prosecutors were building their case. Investigators would later learn after Brandon Theesfeld received news about that pregnancy test, he had been searching the internet for "mother wants kid father does not.". Tony Farese: Brandon Theesfeld stood up and accepted responsibility in open court. BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: Don't share this with anyone. He was arrested three days after Kostial was found. Brandon's lawyer, Tony Farese, told the press: "The autopsy showed that she was not pregnant and there was no evidence that she had been pregnant. Back at his Oxford apartment, authorities found a two-page handwritten letter signed by Theesfeld: "Dear Mom and Dad, I am not a good person. Lafayette County DA's Office A dashcam captured Theesfeld being taken into custody. I've always had terrible thoughts. After graduation, Ally was thrilled to be heading to a college steeped in tradition, history and football: The University of Mississippi. Very like girly, like pearls. 22-year-old Brandon Theesfeld, of Texas, was booked into the Lafayette County Jail at 3:43 p.m. Monday and charged with murder. In April of 2019, Ally attempted to contact Brandon due to the possibility she might be pregnant with his child. Elizabeth says Ally was fascinated by sunsets. April 5, 1997 is his birth date. At the University of Mississippi, she fell hard for Theesfeld, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, during freshman year. He pleaded not guilty. We asked him if he would sign a waiver of extradition, come back to Mississippi. Michelle Miller: So, she talked to you about this. Brandon Theesfeld mostly ignored Ally Kostial's texts, say her friends, but when he did text back, he was clear and concise about his decision. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They even had flowers, prayer cards and bracelets in the lobby for anyone to take to keep her memory alive. Brandon Theesfeld, 22, of Texas, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of 21-year-old Kostial. Three days later, Ally's body was found at a lakeside camp site near the Oxford school. They were casually involved for an undisclosed amount of time, they dated on and off. 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. 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. 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. He was a soccer player. "In your mind, the motive for murder was to?" No history of violence. It was discovered in his apartment. Cindy Kostial: She was my life. He regrets that, but that did occur and that's memorialized in the text messages. March 5, 2022 / 11:08 PM Police immediately alerted investigators in. Tony Farese: He shared with us that he didn't, he didn't know, but he didn't believe that she were pregnant. Defense attorney Anthony Farese says one of the shots Brandon fired was toward the lake. Michelle Miller: When you think about her not being here That makes you feel what? After discovering Ally Kostial's body and confirming her identity, authorities zeroed in on Theesfeld being a potential suspect, and they tried to talk to him about Ally. Dr. Kris Mohandie: It appears that he has no desire to keep her on the sideline from what I've seen in these communications. It wasn't long after arriving in Oxford that Theesfeld met Ally. Michelle Miller: Did he actually block her from his phone? Assistant district attorney Mickey Mallette and investigator Jarrett Bundren took "48 Hours" to the place where it happened where there's now a makeshift memorial. But the marketing business major may have had something more on her mind. As for dating at college, Cindy recalled Ally saying she'd met someone during her freshman year. Replies (0) 31 0. She was texting all her friends asking for advice. Cindy Kostial: She said, "I met this boy, he's from Texas." While a mental evaluation after his arrest found Theesfeld was sane when he murdered Ally, his attorney says that Theesfeld was "drunk and doped up" under the influence of cocaine that night at the lake. This dating app might be for you. Theesfeld was charged with the murder of his fellow student, 21, in late July 2019, CNN reported then. "Our lives have been forever altered and shattered," Cindy said in a statement that Mallette read next. LSUcajun77 LSU Fan New Orleans Member since Nov 2008 18644 posts. With Theesfeld facing a possible death sentence, and prosecutors knowing a capital murder trial could be grueling, emotional, and risky for everyone involved, they presented the defense with an offer. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: Ballistics tell me he was either sitting across from her on that side of the table, he fires one shot, there was one shell casing (Jarrett points) here, and the other 10, were in that area coming around the table, they was not all in one spot, it like started (moves his arm from left to right) coming all the way around. 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. 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 he signed it and we brought him back. Cops tracked down Theesfelds cellphone and credit card, ultimately tracing him to a gas station in South Memphis, Tenn., two days after his alleged victims body was discovered, FOX 13 Memphis reported. Michelle Miller: Why? We'll never know, but I think she was just so blinded by her desperation to talk about what to do, in their relationship. Tony Farese: Yes, he did suggest an abortion. Video . Ally and Brandon met while they both attended the University of Mississippi. According to primalinformation.com, he is from Texas and went to Fort Worth Country Day School from 2012-14 . It was later revealed she was not pregnant. He drove his girlfriend to Sardis Lake in Oxford on July 20, 2019, and shot her multiple times in the belly region. Theesfeld replied that becoming a father at his age of 22 "would ruin his life," Mallette said in court. He picked her up at her apartment, drove for Sardis Lake and, while in back of her, shot her 12 times. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: If you sit there and you go through all of his Google searches, he don't even really know how to work a gun he was Googling "hollow point ammo" "what button does what on a Glock pistol?". Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first degree murder and admitted shooting Kostial multipe times in July 2019. He did not want a child and wanted Ally to terminate the pregnancy. Were they arguing? The victim, who was from. Cindy and Keith say they have not read their daughter's text conversations uncovered by investigators. Ally's parents Keith and Cindy Kostial. " Are you a "motivated dater"? Former Ole Miss student Brandon Theesfeld was charged with killing fellow student Ally Kostial in 2019. The body was found near an abandoned fishing camp about 30 miles from the university with 11 shell casings at the crime scene. During the trial in August 2021, legal officials disclosed that based on autopsy evidence, Ally was not pregnant when she was killed. Growing up in St. Louis, Ally was a cheerleader, a track runner and a member of the honor society who "was always so positive," Casey Hendrickson, Ally's friend since sixth grade, has told PEOPLE. And he had blood on him. Authorities issued a BOLO for his pickup truck, which had a distinguishable license plate that said "TAK3IT." According to Farese, their relationship became complicated when they were sophomores. Ben Creekmore: The horrifying irony is that text messages from him to her were asking is it a good environment, are your friends going to be there? On August 30, 2019, a grand jury indicted Brandon Theesfeld on a capital murder charge. She died at the scene and her body was discovered by patrolling police officers. The stored text messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow student Brandon Theesfeld. MS Hwy 49 West Parchman, 38738 (662) 745-6611 Superintendent: Marc McClure SMCI - South Mississippi Correctional Institution 22689 MS Hwy 463 North Leakesville, 39451 (601) 394-5600 Superintendent: Brand Huffman Walnut Grove Correctional Facility 1650 Mississippi Highway 492 Walnut Grove, 39189 601-253-0700 Warden: Brady Sistrunk They didn't go on dates, like he didn't pick her up or take her out to dinner. Michelle Miller: Do you sense that at all, based on what you've read that he has any desire to keep her on the sideline? They said it was very casual. She had been shot eight times allegedly in the abdomen and stomach according to WLBT. But never discussed him," Cindy said of Brandon Theesfeld. A police dash cam recorded Brandon being taken into custody. Alexandria "Ally" Kostial. He asked Circuit Judge Kelly Luther to accept a guilty plea to a lesser charge. Initially, there was talk about that. Ally arrived in the fall of 2016. A court date was set for today;. Thanks for contacting us. Michelle Miller: Why did he say he killed her? If she had any idea that this is what this person was capable of, she would never had gotten in that truck I think love can blind us to certain things that other people can see that we can't. Jarrett Bundren: He was calm. Theesfeld's attorney Tony Farese calls the case "a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.". Tony Farese: I don't think Brandon would have been in this situation but for his choice of consuming alcohol and then using cocaine. Brandon Theesfeld, the man accused of killing University of Mississippi student Ally Kostial in 2019, pleaded guilty to first degree murder on Friday. Minutes before midnight, a security camera captured Ally walking out of a bar in Oxford Square. In this text, Ally, it seems, was anxious and conflicted: ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "I'm not saying what I am gonna do bc idk what's happenin But even if you don't want to be involved like I am really pretty and sweet and I know I will meet a real man one day.". Jarrett Bundren: About an hour and a half, two hours later they caught him at the gas station. On April 14, she texted Brandon Theesfeld a photo of an inconclusive home pregnancy test and this message: ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "Like it's a very faint blue line but idk I guess I can wait and see if my period comes ". 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. All of . His girlfriend is 21 years old as of death. They're going to try and say that we tricked her that's a very big stretch. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rossell expected to resign, I went to McDonalds drive-thru for lunch but left with bags of cash instead, Ex-'SNL' star talks MLK Jr. 'penis' statue in 'Daily Show' debut: 'Can't unsee it', Plane bound for Puerto Rico hits another aircraft at JFK, days after near-collision, Penelope Disick rates brother Masons epic sneaker collection: Going to steal, Ireland Baldwin details mental, physical warfare of pregnancy: This st is hard, Kristin Cavallari is done dating athletes: I want to leave that in the past, Kitten born with same 'Zorro' mask as her father, The View Derailed by Audience Member Calling Whoopi Goldberg An Old Broad, Lisa Marie Presley's grave prepped at Graceland across from Elvis'. And what they discovered included some life-changing news. Brandon Theesfeld was taken into custody just before 3:45 p.m. on Monday, July 22, according to jail records. Cindy Kostial: See, and that's the thing she's told me everything in life. And I have reasons to believe that I cant share anything now. Theesfeld, a native of Texas, appeared in court Friday charged with capital murder. Michelle Miller: Do you believe Brandon believed she was pregnant? I think it would be fair to say that she looked at it with a more serious eye over the entirety of the relationship. Ally Kostial, the Ole Miss college student whose body was found Saturday, and her alleged killer, Brandon Theesfield, had known each other since 2016. . Maddy Norris: She didn't find a date for prom, so I asked her to be my prom date. He was not involved in the case. Ally's attachment to Theesfeld confused some of her friends, who say he treated her poorly. For her friends, Ally's love for sunsets still shines through. And she called her mom. After avoiding her for months, Brandon met up with Ally on July 20, 2019 - and carried out her murder. Dozens of Ally's family and friends came wearing pink in her honor. Theesfeld was led into. I have all kinds of messages of her texting me paragraph after paragraph, asking me, What do I do?. Tony Farese: I think she saw this as a mutual romantic endeavor, and Brandon did not see it that way. Brandon Theesfeld is the chief suspect in the murder of 21-year-old University of Mississippi student Alexandria Ally Kostial.According to his Facebook page, Theesfeld is a Texas native and student at the University of Mississippi. 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Mississippi's executions are done in the State Penitentiary at Parchman. Daniel R Theesfeld, Karen Theesfeld, and two other persons are connected to this place AP The father of the man who allegedly gunned down Ole Miss student Ally Kostial is insisting on his son's innocence, according to. . / CBS News. . "Get rid of a problem," he replied. But something shifted by their junior year, and the two got back in touch. Tony Farese: If you get a plea other than death, then guess what? The stored text messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow student Brandon Theesfeld. We will always pray for the family and friends of Ally Kostial. BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT | JULY 19, 2019, 3:50 P.M.: are you gonna be home today cause i could visit. like head over heels. Brandon Theesfeld was born on April 5, 1997, which makes him close to 25 years old. and we were like, "this is so messed up". For Ally's friend Morgan it was an eerie reminder. She could not get enough of it. Police immediately alerted investigators in Mississippi about what they'd found in the truck and on his clothing. But otherwise, Ally seemed to be thriving at college. On July 20, a Lafayette County Sheriff's Deputy on a routine patrol near Sardis Lake in Harmontown, which is about 30 miles from the Ole Miss campus in Oxford, discovered Kostial's bullet-ridden body. Michelle Miller [reading text to Kris Mohandie]: "In the past 48 hours, I've literally drank a full bottle of tequila, two bottles of champagne, seven beers, a glass of wine " I can't even imagine someone her size being able to consume that much alcohol. Prosecutors say the home pregnancy tests results were inconclusive. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Brandon Theesfeld is reportedly being held at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, which is also known as Parchman. None of that. Morgan and Elizabeth say it was an odd relationship, carried out over texts. A man accused of capital murder in the 2019 death of a college student he occasionally dated pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge that took the death penalty off the table. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Attorney Tony Farese says the search history doesn't prove Theesfeld had been planning to shoot Ally. I have asked God for forgiveness, and I hope one day that you will find it in your hearts to forgive me.". We've received your submission. It was, to Ally's parents, no excuse. We certainly know what that does to someone's mind so, you know, was he justified? The next day, cops on routine patrol discovered her body near Sardis Lake about 10 miles from the Ole Miss campus. What happened to Brandon Theesfeld? With 238 yards and 4 TDs against Spencer, Spirit Lake sophomore Bode Higgins became just the second Spirit Lake player to rush for more than 200 yards in a single game in the last decade. Ben Creekmore and Mickey Mallette: Ted Bundy. Tony Farese: Well, he certainly has some searches that could be troubling. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of his trial, but he eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in August 2021 and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. OXFORD, Miss. Fellow student Brandon Theesfeld is charged with her murder. Maddy Norris: I think she took him to most of her date parties that her sorority had. He invoked his rights, wanted his attorney. Maddy Norris [in tears]: It was like, If Ally was there, Maddy was there. OXFORD, Miss. "The hardest thing is to go back and read her messages," says Lafayette County district attorney Ben Creekmore. ", "Every time your cell door slams shut may it be a reminder for what you did and the life you took from us.". "That's not in a place that you. Ben Creekmore: He had a 40-caliber gun consistent with the caliber of the shell casings that were found on the scene. In Mississippi, a capital murder charge means another felony crime was involved, and, in this case, prosecutors say that crime was kidnapping. Investigators needed answers and they found them at Ally's apartment. Maddy Norris: She would have given it the world, honestly. Cindy Kostial: She had boys she had like crushes on, but nothing ever serious. Theesfeld responds almost nine hours later: BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "I can talk tomorrow. "He'd say hurtful, degrading things," one friend tells PEOPLE in this week's issue, on newsstands Friday. Produced by Marcelena Spencer and Susan Mallie. Theesfeld's father, a doctor in Fort Worth, hired a very high-profile defense team to defend his son which includes Steve Farese, his cousin Tony Farese and Swayze Alford. Michelle Miller: Once you turn off that paved road, onto the dirt road, and then another 10 minutes to get here, there's no one out here, I mean this is an abandoned fish camp. He was charged with capital murder in August, to which he pleaded not guilty. His attorney told "48 Hours" what Theesfeld says happened that night. The students said they want Ally to continue to inspire and touch the lives of those at Ole Miss. She even sent him a photo of a home pregnancy test that appeared inconclusive. They say Ally's love for sunsets will forever remind them of her bright spirit. Lafayette County investigator Jarrett Bundren reportedly told CBS Saturday Morning that. According to a text message she sent Theesfeld in early July, Ally says she had been bleeding and believed something was wrong.