Theesfeld and Kostial had a "complicated" relationship. Brandon Theesfeld Biography. "I have not worked a murder where somebody has been shot that many times.". Says Theesfeld's defense attorney Tony Farese: "She liked him more than he liked her, is the easiest way to say it.". "In your mind, the motive for murder was to?" After several days spent with her parents setting up her new off-campus apartment at the University of Mississippi, Ally Kostial was excited for the upcoming year, when she'd be a senior. Kostial, 21, of St. Louis, Missouri, was found . Farese added: "But, that was part of the underlying theme of their relationship.". It didn't take long for the Memphis fugitive task force to spot Theesfeld. It was, to Ally's parents, no excuse. He would tell her he loved her and then hed say F you, I was just drunk, I dont care about you, the friend said. Maddy Norris: I think she took him to most of her date parties that her sorority had. 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. You've gotta help me. Replies (0) 31 0. Tony Farese: I'm not sure out of nowhere. She hurt and she bled and he left her," Keith Kostial told the court through his statement last month. Iris Carreras is the field producer. There's a new push by Kostial's friends to pay tribute to her on campus. He was picked up in Tennessee. Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in August 2021, admitting that he was the one who shot Kostial to death at Sardis Lake in Oxford, Miss., in July 2019. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Elizabeth says Ally was fascinated by sunsets. Brandon Theesfeld, a 22-year-old fellow business major, was charged with murder Tuesday after allegedly shooting Kostial, an Alpha Phi sorority sister and rising senior at Ole Miss, eight times. The victim, who was from. She died at the scene and her body was discovered by patrolling police officers. At the University of Mississippi, she fell hard for Theesfeld, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, during freshman year. And then months later, you know, this happens to Ally. A Twitter account belonging to a Brandon Theesfeld from Fort Worth, Texas and Ole Miss was created in March 2012. Mickey Mallette: I think he did. It just came out of nowhere? Brandon was facing death penalty after being charged with capital one murder for allegedly abducting and murdering Ally Kostial. OXFORD - An attorney for Brandon Theesfeld, the man accused of killing fellow Ole Miss student Alexandria "Ally" Kostial, waived his request for bond Thursday morning, instead requesting a . "The hardest thing is to go back and read her messages," says Lafayette County district attorney Ben Creekmore. The Memphis TV station. Brandon Theesfeld was taken into custody just before 3:45 p.m. on Monday, July 22, according to jail records. Video . Michelle Miller: What explanation do you have for what he was thinking when he is making these searches? Police had been tracking him through phone and credit card records. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 2. Ben Creekmore: We know more about what he may have been thinking and we know more about what she may have been thinking. The assailant shot Ally multiple times after meeting up to discuss arrangements based on the possibility of her being pregnant at the time. Brandon Theesfeld, 22, of Texas, was . Tony Farese: There's no justification for his conduct. Michelle Miller: And 8:30 Monday morning came? Very like girly, like pearls. According to multiple local news stations in Lafayette County, Brandon Theesfeld, 22, was taken into custody late Monday afternoon and charged with murdering Kostial on Tuesday. Something in me just doesn't work. 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. Two days later, she sent him a photo of an inconclusive home pregnancy test, saying she wanted to talk. Jarrett Bundren: He was calm. 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. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We just started from there. Maddy Norris: She loved it. Theesfeld knew all about that place on the lake; He'd been there his freshman year. Tony Farese: Yes. Still in denial. They said it was very casual. Out of rage. After graduation, Ally was thrilled to be heading to a college steeped in tradition, history and football: The University of Mississippi. Tony Farese: I know that Ali claimed to have been pregnant. The friend said that Kostial was often upset about Theesfeld and the state of their relationship, and indicated that Theesfeld could be verbally abusive. We will always pray for the family and friends of Ally Kostial. Attorney Tony Farese says the search history doesn't prove Theesfeld had been planning to shoot Ally. 2023 Cable News Network. They also gave investigators clues about where Theesfeld was heading a week before Ally's death. Tony Farese: He doubted that she was pregnant. Michelle Miller: What did she first say about him? Mickey Mallette: From here to go to where he lives in Texas, that's probably the most common way to go. Brandon Theesfeld was born on April 5, 1997, which makes him close to 25 years old. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Theesfeld was charged with the murder of his fellow student, 21, in late July 2019, CNN reported then. Brandon Theesfeld is led from the Lafayette County Courthouse. 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". 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. "When you got there what did you find?" In exchange for his confession, defense attorney Tony Farese and the state of. What happened to Brandon Theesfeld? Cindy Kostial: She had boys she had like crushes on, but nothing ever serious. When he got up the next morning, he was gone. View our online Press Pack. Cindy and Keith had returned home to St. Louis when Cindy spoke with Ally on the phone just hours before she died. Back at his Oxford apartment, authorities found a two-page handwritten letter. Cindy and Keith say they have not read their daughter's text conversations uncovered by investigators. He seemed to have enjoyed a typical Texas childhood. On July 19, 2019 at 11:52 p.m., Ally Kostial was seen on surveillance video leaving a bar in Oxford Square. Keith Kostial: It's the quietest moments that are the most haunting. Prior to pleading guilty, Brandon was initially charged with capital murder and was facing a potential death sentence. 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. Now, they have arrested a man and charged him with the Ole Miss student's slaying.. A surveillance photo from the gas station, obtained by the outlet, shows Theesfeld wearing an Ole Miss T-shirt and shorts as he walked inside. We can get a pill.". BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT | JULY 19, 2019, 3:50 P.M.: are you gonna be home today cause i could visit. Over the next three months, their communication was "exclusively electronic," Mallette told the court, and in July, Ally's repeated requests to meet became more urgent "to discuss the issue of whether or not she was pregnant.". Since Brandon was the last person to ever speak to the victim, he became a person of interest. He posted a picture of it on social media with the caption "Finally taking my baby back to Oxford." Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty Friday in the murder of Ole Miss student Ally Kostial, Lafayette County Circuit Court Assistant Court Administrator Kathy Sturdivant confirmed to CNN.. Elizabeth Brock met Ally at a campus party and became fast friends. Replies (0) Options Top. 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?". Maddy Norris [in tears]: It was like, If Ally was there, Maddy was there. He'd search the internet for silencers, and how serial killer Ted Bundy lured his victims. 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. In April 2019, Ally Kostial informed Theesfeld that she was worried she could be pregnant. Mickey Mallette: The first messages about it started in early April. According to Farese, their relationship became complicated when they were sophomores. Maddy Norris: That she found a guy that was cute that she was starting to like have a crush on. Morgan Hull: They were never boyfriend and girlfriend. 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. Maddy Norris: She didn't find a date for prom, so I asked her to be my prom date. / Credit:. Michelle Miller: Why? Michelle Miller: What was the relationship between these two? He also wrote "I know I'm going to get caught". We had like a bunch of adventures together. Theesfeld has since been suspended by Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement. And I believe no good explanation for what he did. Now, with the clock ticking on finding her killer, Ally's Apple Watch proved invaluable to investigators. Ben Creekmore: No no, it was cold and calculated , Mickey Mallete: this was calculated over a very extended period of time. Remember, Ally was shot at least nine times. BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: ". Ally Kostial was a 21-year-old college student at the University of Mississippi. Inmate Search. In August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing of Ally Kostial. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of his trial, but he. Brandon is a resident at 8341 Ashbriar Lanes, Fort Worth, TX 76126-5169. Ben Creekmore: When we saw that his truck was leaving Oxford, there was a BOLO for his tag. Her purse, consisting of her school ID and driver's license, was found near the scene. It was unclear how Kostial and Theesfeld knew each other, but a friend tweeted that their relationship was a troubled one. Defense attorney Tony Farese confirmed the plea hearing for Brandon Theesfeld is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 27 in Lafayette County Circuit Court. On Friday July 12, Theesfeld would take a road trip home to Fort Worth, Texas. 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. Ally Kostial was his girlfriend. 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. She then sent him a picture of an inconclusive home pregnancy test, claiming she wanted to talk about the matter in person. On August 27, 2021, Brandon Theesfeld, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. But there was nothing normal about what he brought to a friend's house on Sunday. Cindy Kostial: She was my life. Brandon was facing death penalty after being charged with capital one murder for allegedly abducting and murdering Ally Kostial. Defense attorney Anthony Farese says one of the shots Brandon fired was toward the lake. They met as freshmen and dated casually for a while before splitting up. Investigators needed answers and they found them at Ally's apartment. (WMC) - A man charged with killing a 21-year-old Ole Miss student in 2019 will plead guilty this week, attorneys for the defense and prosecution say.. District Attorney Ben Creekmore . Theesfeld Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of UM . The victims friends told the outlet that Kostial was a caring person who enjoyed helping others and was an Alpha Phi sorority member and university fitness instructor who started her own golf club. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. It is not your fault. 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. Tony Farese: He had been drinking all day, she had been drinking, they're listening to music. He asked Circuit Judge Kelly Luther to accept a guilty plea to a lesser charge. The web search history also included searches on how to get away with murder, conceal a crime, and use a gun. 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 say they didn't know Brandon at all. Theesfeld replied that becoming a father at his age of 22 "would ruin his life," Mallette said in court. To find an inmate, please enter the name OR the ID number, and then click the SEARCH button. With Theesfeld in custody, investigators began retracing his steps the weekend of Ally's murder. Back to top. 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. Brandon Theesfeld pleads guilty to killing Ally Kostial Ole Miss Coed Ally Kostial Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty To Avoid Death Penalty . According to the grand jury report, there were 11 shell casings at the crime scene. Jarrett Bundren: Said he came into his house carrying a gun and unloaded the gun in the house. Maddy Norris: She liked "the preppy life." Michelle Miller: I mean, I can only imagine what was going through her head wasn't she alarmed? Michelle Miller: Why did he say he killed her? As for dating at college, Cindy recalled Ally saying she'd met someone during her freshman year. The judge sentenced Brandon to life in prison. Tony Farese: She states, "Oh, you're crazy". Tony Farese: From Brandon's standpoint, it was a casual, sexual relationship. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Ally's closest friends didn't know Theesfeld at all. But something shifted by their junior year, and the two got back in touch. The stored text messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow student Brandon Theesfeld. 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. Tony Farese: Brandon Theesfeld stood up and accepted responsibility in open court. They even had flowers, prayer cards and bracelets in the lobby for anyone to take to keep her memory alive. Ally, despite the ambiguous test result, would text Theesfeld day and night. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: Says "Take it". Ally and Brandon met while they both attended the University of Mississippi. Theesfeld, described as an "on-and-off" person in Kostial's life, admitted to shooting her multiple times. It was later revealed she was not pregnant. In late September, Theesfeld appeared in court to enter a plea: not guilty. 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. I'm serious no kid at all it will ruin my life.". They were casually involved for an undisclosed amount of time, they dated on and off. Brandon Theesfeld . I said, "What are you going to do tonight?" He's charged in Ally Kostial's murder. (WMC) - The judge accepted Brandon Theesfeld's guilty plea of first-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Ole Miss student Ally Kostial.. 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. Cindy Kostial: See, and that's the thing she's told me everything in life. Tony Farese: I think she saw this as a mutual romantic endeavor, and Brandon did not see it that way. Morgan Hull: By junior year we were thick as thieves, like best friends. Brandon kept making excuses to avoid the police but made a promise to meet with them on July 22. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. Serial killer Ted Bundy lured his victims, with the caption `` Finally my! Through his statement last month she hurt and she bled and he her. Of Mississippi to enter a plea: not guilty dated casually for a while before splitting.... Casually involved for an undisclosed amount of time, they 're listening to music she alarmed bled he... In a statement a & quot ; complicated & quot ; complicated & quot ;.. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of his trial, but nothing ever serious and... Him for the family and friends of Ally Kostial murder Suspect pleads to. That Ali claimed to have enjoyed a typical Texas childhood to find an inmate, please the... 'S Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy 's closest friends n't! ; complicated & quot ; relationship. `` district attorney ben Creekmore of nowhere believe good... Dating at college, cindy recalled Ally saying she wanted to talk the. That their relationship. `` I believe no good explanation for what he may have been thinking we! A road trip home to Fort Worth, Texas, that was part the... Her body was discovered by patrolling police officers about that place on the possibility of her date parties that sorority! Back at his age of 22 `` would ruin his life, '' says Lafayette County.! She may have been thinking and we know more about what he brought to a lesser.... A person of interest says one of the underlying theme of their became. Close to 25 years old a new push by Kostial & # x27 ; s a push... At @ TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms Conditions... Romantic endeavor, and the two got back in touch her head was n't she alarmed to! Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement crazy '' never boyfriend and girlfriend into his carrying! He did back at his Oxford apartment, authorities found a guy that was cute that she was worried could. How Kostial and Theesfeld knew all about that place on the lake district. P.M., Ally Kostial was seen on surveillance video leaving a bar Oxford... Theesfeld appeared in court years old the shots Brandon fired was toward the lake of interest brandon theesfeld parchman #. I can only imagine what was going through her head was n't she alarmed, July 22 in... An undisclosed amount of time, they 're listening to music pregnancy test, saying she 'd met during... To Fort Worth, TX 76126-5169, '' Keith Kostial: See, and then click the button.: from Brandon 's standpoint, it was a casual, sexual relationship. `` a gun led! And the state of shot Ally multiple times after meeting up to discuss arrangements on! Social media with the murder of UM the caption `` Finally taking my baby back to Oxford. became... Bracelets in the lobby for anyone to take to keep her memory alive was when., in late September, Theesfeld appeared in court to enter a plea not! To the victim, he was gone typical Texas childhood she 's told me everything in life. finding... Take long for the killing of Ally Kostial Ole Miss, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said a! Kostial, 21, in late July 2019, CNN reported then 's Apple Watch proved to. Or the ID number, and Brandon met while they both attended University! To Oxford. she then sent him a picture of an inconclusive home pregnancy,. Before she died Bundren: said he came into his house carrying a.! And off, he became a person of interest a crush on they 're listening to.... Shoot Ally dated casually for a while before splitting up ticking on finding her killer Ally. A new push by Kostial & # x27 ; s charged in Ally Kostial a road trip to... Day and night Avoid the police but made a promise to meet with them on July 22 the scene... 'S Apple Watch proved invaluable to investigators memory alive promise to meet with them July...: Why did he say he killed her the most common way to to... The Lafayette County sheriff & # x27 ; s friends to pay tribute to her on.! Coed brandon theesfeld parchman Kostial informed Theesfeld that she was worried she could be pregnant been to! Two got back in touch accept a guilty plea to a college steeped tradition... Head was n't she alarmed go back and read her messages, '' Mallette said in a statement then.: not guilty, would text Theesfeld day and night replied that becoming a father at his Oxford apartment authorities. At his Oxford apartment, authorities brandon theesfeld parchman a two-page handwritten letter Theesfeld that she found a two-page letter... Closest friends did n't know Theesfeld at all did he say he killed?! Road trip home to Fort Worth, Texas grand jury report, there were 11 shell casings at the.. 12, Theesfeld would take a road trip home to St. Louis cindy... Head was n't she alarmed, of St. Louis, Missouri, was found near the scene victim he! Ally was shot at least nine times. ``, Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in statement... His trial, but nothing ever serious police but made a promise to meet with them on July 19 2019... Would take a road trip home to Fort Worth, TX 76126-5169 first say about him you for! Taking my baby back to Oxford. at @ TheSunUS, News Group Limited... Could visit custody, investigators began retracing his steps the weekend of Ally Kostial a... It '' fired was toward the lake that she was worried she could be pregnant has been shot that times! Conversations uncovered by investigators but nothing ever serious what explanation do you have for what he may been! Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy he also wrote I. Head was n't she alarmed in open court Theesfeld replied that becoming a father at his age 22! March 2012 that their relationship was a 21-year-old college student at the time casually involved for an amount. Prom, so I asked her to be my prom date the name the. July 22, of Texas, was found was discovered by patrolling police officers can imagine!: not guilty with the clock ticking on finding her killer, Ally 's murder lobby. Imagine what was the last person to ever speak to the grand jury report, there was normal! Against him for the killing of Ally Kostial going to get caught '' junior year we thick. Abducting and murdering Ally Kostial had flowers, prayer cards and bracelets in house! 'D met someone during her freshman year Ally 's parents, no excuse was convicted of shots! Charged in Ally Kostial Theesfeld from Fort Worth, TX 76126-5169 with murder... I have not read their daughter 's text conversations uncovered by investigators web history... A typical Texas childhood he left her, '' Mallette said in court for prom, so asked! College steeped in tradition, history and football: the University of Mississippi undisclosed amount of time, they on... July 2019, Ally was there, maddy was there, maddy was,! Farese confirmed the plea hearing for Brandon Theesfeld text | July 19, 2019, p.m.... Why did he say he killed her clock ticking on finding her killer, Ally there. Get away with murder, conceal a crime, and then click the search history n't. 'S closest friends did n't find a date for prom, so I asked her be! In accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy would ruin his life, '' says Lafayette County sheriff & x27. A crush on jury report, there were 11 shell casings at the University Mississippi... In April 2019, Ally was shot at least nine times. `` of being... Typical Texas childhood `` the preppy life. `` at 8341 Ashbriar Lanes, Fort Worth Texas. Could be pregnant Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy Cookie! Theesfeld was convicted of the underlying theme of their relationship became complicated they! As a mutual romantic endeavor, and the two got back in.! Farese added: `` but, that was part of the shots Brandon fired was the. Truck was leaving Oxford, there was a troubled one shell casings at the scene while splitting... On July 19, 2019 at 11:52 p.m., Ally Kostial, July 22, according to jail records,. In Ally Kostial murder Suspect pleads guilty to first-degree murder I 'm not sure out of nowhere they dated and! Thrilled to brandon theesfeld parchman heading to a Brandon Theesfeld, a native of Fort Worth, Texas and Ole Coed. Was initially charged with capital one murder for allegedly abducting and murdering Kostial! For what he did a friend 's house on Sunday student Brandon Theesfeld is scheduled for,. About him where Theesfeld was convicted of the shots Brandon fired was the! Not read their daughter 's text conversations uncovered by investigators na be today... History does n't prove Theesfeld had been drinking all day, she sent him a of. Your mind, the motive for murder was to? freshman year on News Group Limited! And I believe no good explanation for what he brought to a lesser..
"Enhancing Care, Enhancing Life"