Her purse, consisting of her school ID and driver's license, was found near the scene. The stored text messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow student Brandon Theesfeld. The following day, Friday July 19 the day before her death Theesfeld texts Ally: BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "are you gonna be home today cause i could visit". Michelle Miller: You never met him because he never came around? Back to top. Ally Kostial was a 21-year-old college student at the University of Mississippi. For other inquiries, Contact Us. . And just like fell in love. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Maddy Norris [in tears]: It was like, If Ally was there, Maddy was there. This dating app might be for you. The upcoming episode of ID's 48 Hours will chronicle the brutal murder case of 21-year-old Ally Kostial. Source: CBS News According to People, Kostial and Theesfeld met as they both attended Ole Miss. Ally Kostial's family and friends continue to honor her memory. The police who found Ally's remains quickly reported that she was shot roughly eight times which killed her. They met as freshmen and dated casually for a while before splitting up. Kostial's on-again-off-again boyfriend, Brandon Theesfeld, 22, was arrested and charged last Monday with her murder. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. Police immediately alerted investigators in Mississippi about what they'd found in the truck and on his clothing. Theesfeld was arrested on Monday, July 22, at a gas station in Memphis, Tenn., with the murder weapon in his truck. "48 Hours" asked him to read some of the text messages. Prior to pleading guilty, Brandon was initially charged with capital murder and was facing a potential death sentence. "I have not worked a murder where somebody has been shot that many times.". Follow the article till the end to learn more. 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. Morgan Hull: By junior year we were thick as thieves, like best friends. Cindy Kostial: See, and that's the thing she's told me everything in life. Brandon Theesfeld, 24, admitted to killing Alexandria 'Ally' Kostial, 21, in July 2019, as part of a plea agreement to avoid a possible death sentence. Brandon Theesfeld has been charged over her murder of Alexandria 'Ally' Kostial as it is revealed that they were both seen on surveillance video at a grocery store close to where her body was discovered Theesfeld, 22, was taken into custody on Monday evening outside a gas station in South Memphis after the body of 21-year-old Ally Kostial . Authorities issued a BOLO for his pickup truck, which had a distinguishable license plate that said "TAK3IT." We've received your submission. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. When it came time to go prom dress shopping . Michelle Miller: Was there anything in her behavior that suggested things weren't normal? 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). They dated casually during their freshman year. "A white female laying on the ground with multiple gun shots wounds to her back," Bundren replied. It didn't take long for the Memphis fugitive task force to spot Theesfeld. When he got up the next morning, he was gone. Within the next few hours, he was arrested at a gas station. You know, read him his rights. Dr. Kris Mohandie: It appears that he has no desire to keep her on the sideline from what I've seen in these communications. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. . and you could assume that she's thinking he wants to talk about the pregnancy issue and work on the relationship. Brandon Theesfeld, a 22-year-old senior, was arrested Monday afternoon and is currently in custody at the Lafayette County Detention Center, the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department confirmed . Hence, my conclusion is that she wanted a serious relationship with Brandon, which in her mind could have included marriage. The incident occurred months after she first broke the news to Theesfeld that she had taken a pregnancy test, which delivered inconclusive results, and that she might be pregnant with his child. 2. Cindy Kostial: She said, "I met this boy, he's from Texas." He was charged with capital murder in August, to which he pleaded not guilty. Mickey Mallette: The first messages about it started in early April. In August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing of Ally Kostial. Kostial's body was found on the morning of July 20, 2019, near Sardis Lake in Oxford, miles away from the university campus. "Get rid of a problem," he replied. 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. According to primalinformation.com, he is from Texas and went to Fort Worth Country Day School from 2012-14 . Less than 48 hours later, at 4:16 p.m. he posts a disturbing photo on social media. 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.". Dozens of Ally's family and friends . I'm serious no kid at all it will ruin my life.". At the time of her death, Ally Kostial was a rising senior who had stayed behind in Oxford, Mississippi, to take summer classes. The victim had nine gunshot wounds to her back. Brandon Theesfeld pleads guilty to killing Ally Kostial Ole Miss Coed Ally Kostial Murder Suspect Pleads Guilty To Avoid Death Penalty . On July 20, a Lafayette County Sheriffs Deputy on a routine patrol near Sardis Lake in Harmontown, which is about 30 miles from the Ole Miss campus in Oxford, discovered Kostials bullet-ridden body. OXFORD, Miss. Jarrett Bundren: He was calm. Then, around 1:30 a.m., prosecutors say Theesfeld and Ally take that dark and desolate drive to Sardis Lake. He'd search the internet for silencers, and how serial killer Ted Bundy lured his victims. 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. . In April 2019, three months prior to her murder, Ally Kostial and Brandon Theesfeld started texting back and forth about Ally's situation. A week before his sentencing, Brandon and his legal team took a plea deal, which resulted in the suspension of the potential death penalty and led to a life sentence instead. It seemed the two were planning to see each other that very night. The police subsequently arrested Brandon Theesfeld, 22, her on-again, off-again boyfriend in this connection. He says there's an innocent explanation for why his client brought that pistol back to Mississippi. Michelle Miller: And 8:30 Monday morning came? And she was real excited to invite him to a sorority dance. Keith Kostial: It's the quietest moments that are the most haunting. Theesfeld's attorney Tony Farese calls the case "a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.". Brandon Theesfeld (Brandon Austin Theesfeld) is a student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford who has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ally Kostial, who is also a student at Ole Miss University, whose body was found on July 20 near a remote lake in Lafayette County, Mississippi with eight gunshot wounds. Brandon's age is 25. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 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Morgan Hull, center, and and Elizabeth Brick, right, are just two of the many friends Ally Kostial made in college. Ben Creekmore and Mickey Mallette: Ted Bundy. Brandon Theesfeld, 22, was charged on Tuesday with murdering Alexandria 'Ally' Kostial after her body was found last weekend about 20 miles from the Ole Miss campus. I'm busy today. Ben Creekmore: under the guise of working the relationship out when he had a .40-caliber pistol and had planned her murder all along. Those thoughts have been fueled by cocaine and alcohol." It didn't take long for the Memphis Fugitive Task Force to spot Theesfeld. Ryan Smith is the development producer. 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? He also wrote "I know I'm going to get caught". Thanks for contacting us. In Mississippi, a capital murder charge means another felony crime was involved, and, in this case, prosecutors say that crime was kidnapping. Morgan Hull: It's so odd that we were her best friends, and we still really didn't even know him that well. Brandon Theesfeld, 22, of Texas, was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of 21-year-old Kostial. Two days later, Theesfeld was arrested at a gas station in Memphis, and remains in custody as he awaits formal charges. Theesfeld said, 'Sorry for the pain I caused . Theesfeld knew all about that place on the lake; He'd been there his freshman year. He picked her up at her apartment, drove for Sardis Lake and, while in back of her, shot her 12 times. The stored text messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow student Brandon Theesfeld. I am told by Brandon that he has the gun to his head and then passes out. The university will support the Kostial family in every way we can during this traumatic time.. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We just started from there. We'll never know, but I think she was just so blinded by her desperation to talk about what to do, in their relationship. Keith Kostial: It does seem like she's still away at school. 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. Ally's University of Mississippi classmate, Brandon Theesfeld, was arrested in connection to her murder and he was ultimately convicted of the charges. Remember, Ally was shot at least nine times. Was that something so out of line for Ally and her behavior? Maddy Norris: She didn't find a date for prom, so I asked her to be my prom date. In April 2019, Ally Kostial informed Theesfeld that she was worried she could be pregnant. The victim, who was from. Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We called late Saturday, early Sunday morning to come in and give an interview. 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.". It is not your fault. They can see his location moving away from Oxford. The 22-year-old man from Texas is charged with the murder of his fellow classmate, 21-year-old Ally Kostial. Ben Creekmore: Which is why it was capital murder. In August 2021, Brandon Theesfeld was convicted of the charges brought against him for the killing of Ally Kostial. Ally and Brandon met while they both attended the University of Mississippi. Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to first degree murder and admitted shooting Kostial multipe times in July 2019. Tony Farese: He writes a goodbye note to his family, tells them that he loves them, apologizes for what he's done. 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. August 27, 2021 at 11:47 am CDT. But something shifted by their junior year, and the two got back in touch. A police dash cam recorded Brandon Theesfeld being taken into custody at a gas station in Memphis. Cindy and Keith Kostial are holding on to their memories. Eleven shell casings were discovered on the ground. Are you a "motivated dater"? "That goodbye was so hard," Ally's mom, Cindy, explained in a statement of that July 17, 2019 farewell. 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. 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. Evidence shows he searched the internet for abortion services and abortion pills. I've always had terrible thoughts. A police dash cam recorded Brandon being taken into custody. He said in part: "There is no excuse for my actions. They start talking. Or it's being exaggerated to show, "Hey " to tell Brandon, "I'm self-destructive. Her cell phone was gone, but they were able to track her life before her death through her Apple Watch. It is unclear if Theesfeld and Kostial knew each other, and a motive in the shooting is also not known. Brandon Theesfeld was arrested just days after Kostial was found shot to death in Harmontown on July 20, 2019. 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. Employees at the Lakeside Market in Harmontown, Mississippi confirmed that Theesfeld and Kostial, stopped at the market early Saturday morning. Over the course of the next three months, Ally texted him to schedule a meeting to talk about the issue in person, but it was only on the night of the murder that he agreed to meet her. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Evidence presented to a grand jury included a letter Brandon Theesfeld wrote on the weekend of Ally Kostial's murder. So, the question is why would she claim to be pregnant if she were not pregnant. ( WTVA) - The man charged with killing former Ole Miss student Ally Kostial will plead guilty to first-degree murder, District Attorney Ben Creekmore confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Theesfeld was led into. Kostial was found at 10:23 a.m. in Harmontown, Mississippi, near Sardis Lake, which. 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. Brandon Theesfeld Biography. Tiger King Star Carole Baskin Says Missing Husband Is Alive and Well in Costa Rica, Blood Evidence Found on Pillow at Accused Idaho Killer Bryan Kohbergers Apartment: Search Warrant, Preemie in Serial Killer NICU Nurses Care Had to Be Resuscitated Twice, Improved When Moved to Different Hospital. After avoiding her for months, Brandon met up with Ally on July 20, 2019 - and carried out her murder. April 5, 1997 is his birth date. Maddy Norris: I mean, it hurt her. According to sources, a local resident walking their dog reported hearing gunshots in the early morning hours at around 2:15 and 2:30. Brandon Theesfeld will serve his life sentence at the Mississippi State Penitentiary known as Parchman. None of that. Ive been around him several times, the friend told People. Mickey Mallette: There was some evidence that would have, that could indicate she had a miscarriage. Back at his Oxford apartment, authorities found a two-page handwritten letter. Prior to pleading guilty, Brandon was initially charged . Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. 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.. Theesfeld, a native of Texas, appeared in court Friday charged with capital murder. 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. 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.". To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. They didn't go on dates, like he didn't pick her up or take her out to dinner. Remembering Ally Stacy Wasenius Photography Ally Kostial's family and friends continue. We had like a bunch of adventures together. It was, to Ally's parents, no excuse. It was later revealed she was not pregnant. "He'd say hurtful, degrading things," one friend tells PEOPLE in this week's issue, on newsstands Friday. "The hardest thing is to go back and. 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. First published on March 5, 2022 / 11:08 PM. But it was clear to prosecutors Theesfeld's trip to Texas and the computer searches were part of a carefully laid out plan. With the help of the Memphis Police Department's Fugitive Task Force, Brandon Theesfeld was arrested without incident at a gas station. like head over heels. A gun, that apparently, he didn't even know how to use. 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. A police dash cam recorded Brandon being taken into custody. Investigators found cans of White Claw Hard Seltzer on the picnic table. A Twitter account belonging to a Brandon Theesfeld from Fort Worth, Texas and Ole Miss was created in March 2012. I think she was more enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was with her, quite candidly. She was always down about him. Ben Creekmore: When you put it together it would appear to us what his purpose was in bringing the gun back. 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?". 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. Brandon Theesfeld pleaded guilty to murdering Ally Kostial, his then-girlfriend. ", Cindy Kostial added: "Brandon, you belong in jail each day for the rest of your life for the heinous act you committed to such a sweet soul in Ally. He was initially charged with capital . And that's exactly what happened. On 06/23/2021 Kassidy Cronce and Brandon Theesfeld was filed as a Family - Other Family lawsuit.