When investigators discovered the physique of Ally Kostial, a pupil on the College of Mississippi in Oxford, in July 2019 close to Sardis Lake, an deserted fishing camp not removed from campus, they questioned why somebody would so brutally take the lifetime of the 21-year-old.
"If you bought there … what did you discover?" "CBS Saturday Morning" co-host Michelle Miller requested Lafayette County investigator Jarrett Bundren.
"A white feminine laying on the bottom … with a number of gun photographs wounds to her again," Bundren replied. "I've not labored a homicide the place any person has been shot that many occasions."
Ally, initially from St. Louis, Missouri, and learning enterprise and advertising and marketing, was shot no less than 9 occasions. Investigators wanted solutions and so they discovered them at Ally's house. Her cellphone was gone, however they had been in a position to monitor her life earlier than her demise via her Apple Watch.
"And despite the fact that her cellphone was not there … a few of these messages nonetheless synced to that watch," mentioned Mickey Mallette, Lafayette County assistant district legal professional.
The saved textual content messages led Lafayette County sheriff's deputies to fellow pupil Brandon Theesfeld. He was arrested three days after Kostial was discovered.
"The toughest factor is to return and browse her messages," says Lafayette County district legal professional Ben Creekmore.
Theesfeld's legal professional Tony Farese calls the case "a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions."
"In your thoughts, the motive for homicide was to?" Miller requested prosecutor Ben Creekmore. "Do away with an issue," he replied.
ALLY KOSTIAL'S FINAL HOURS
WREG NEWS REPORT JULY 21, 2019: "It is unclear why a 21-year-old ... pupil could be in that space some 30 miles away from campus ... Authorities have launched restricted particulars on the case however did say they think foul play."
Although it has been years since Cindy and Keith Kostial's daughter Ally was discovered murdered on July 20, 2019, it nonetheless would not appear actual to them.
Keith Kostial: It does seem to be she's nonetheless away in school.
Cindy Kostial: (in tears) And I nonetheless do not consider it, and right here we're ... Nonetheless in denial.
The Kostials had visited Ally at her house just a few days earlier than.
Cindy Kostial: She wished us to remain an additional day, she was having a lot enjoyable. She wished me to cook dinner her ... house cooked meals. ... We went procuring. She loves a seaside theme, so we simply purchased a bunch of recent décor, .
Cindy and Keith had returned house to St. Louis when Cindy spoke with Ally on the cellphone simply hours earlier than she died.
Cindy Kostial: It was like seven o'clock at evening ... She had simply woken up from a nap as a result of she had a take a look at really on that day. ... I mentioned, "What are you going to do tonight?" She mentioned, "I'll exit with some associates."
Twenty-four hours later, Lafayette County Sheriff's Division investigator Jarrett Bundren hoped clues from Ally's Apple Watch would possibly result in the primary break within the case.
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We simply began from there.
Michelle Miller: What was she to you?
Maddy Norris: She was like my sister.
Like so many who knew and cherished Ally, Maddy Norris, one among her greatest associates in highschool, was making an attempt to make sense of what had occurred.
Maddy Norris: I simply was like in shock.
The 2 had been inseparable.
Maddy Norris [in tears]: It was like, If Ally was there, Maddy was there. ... She was like my different half. ... We had like a bunch of adventures collectively. ... Woman issues, watching chick flicks, watching "Legally Blonde" and driving in her convertible.
When it got here time to go promenade costume procuring …
Maddy Norris: She simply tried on this pink costume. And similar to fell in love. And she or he referred to as her mother. It is like, I'll must get this costume (laughs).
Michelle Miller:Did she have a boyfriend in highschool?
Cindy Kostial: She had boys she had like crushes on, however nothing ever severe.
Maddy Norris: She did not discover a date for promenade, so I requested her to be my promenade date.
After commencement, Ally was thrilled to be heading to a school steeped in custom, historical past and soccer: The College of Mississippi.
Maddy Norris: She preferred ... "the preppy life." ... Very like girly, like pearls.
Ally arrived within the fall of 2016. However the advertising and marketing enterprise main could have had one thing extra on her thoughts.
Cindy Kostial: She wished to satisfy a southern boy and get married and have youngsters at some point, and he or she thought that may be an ideal setting for her to satisfy her companion for all times.
Morgan Hull: By junior yr we had been thick as thieves, like greatest associates.
Morgan Hull went to varsity with Ally.
Morgan Hull: She was at all times like rearranging and redecorating her room too, which was at all times so humorous to seek out little Ally like shifting all of the furnishings round by herself (laughs).
Elizabeth Brock: We had been each from St. Louis.
Elizabeth Brock met Ally at a campus get together and have become quick associates.
Elizabeth Brock: So, then we're like, oh my God, how did we like not meet till now?
Elizabeth says Ally was fascinated by sunsets.
Elizabeth Brock: She had a sundown Instagram account the place she'd submit photos that she took of sunsets.
As for courting at school, Cindy recalled Ally saying she'd met somebody throughout her freshman yr.
Cindy Kostial: She mentioned, "I met this boy, he is from Texas." She, for no matter cause, loves the state of Texas. And she or he was actual excited to ask him ... to a sorority dance. ... That is the boy she actually preferred.
Michelle Miller: What did she first say about him?
Maddy Norris: That she discovered a man that was cute ... that she was beginning to like have a crush on.
That "crush" would transform fellow pupil Brandon Theesfeld from Fort Price.
Michelle Miller: Was she actually enthusiastic about him?
Maddy Norris: Sure. ... like head over heels.
Maddy Norris: I believe she took him to most of her date events that her sorority had.
So, when Maddy went right down to Oxford to go to, she was wanting ahead to assembly the brand new man in Ally's life. Sadly, issues didn't go as deliberate.
Maddy Norris: I by no means met him.
Michelle Miller: You by no means met him as a result of he by no means got here round?
Maddy Norris: By no means got here round.
Michelle Miller: How did she really feel about that?
Maddy Norris: I imply, it damage her. ... You could have like your greatest good friend from highschool coming down to go to you and your crush ... is MIA.
Maddy was involved that there was one thing about her good friend's relationship that wasn't fairly proper. However in any other case, Ally appeared to be thriving at school.
Maddy Norris: She cherished it. She couldn't get sufficient of it. ... She lastly achieves the objective of going there, and he or she simply was residing her life.
Three years later, her life was minimize brief. Now, with the clock ticking on discovering her killer, Ally's Apple Watch proved invaluable to investigators.
Michelle Miller: What did the watch inform you?
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: The watch was telling me she was having very prolonged textual content message dialog with Brandon.
Brandon Theesfeld — Ally's freshman yr crush. It appeared the 2 had been planning to see one another that very evening.
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT | JULY 19, 2019, 3:50 P.M.: are you gonna be house at the moment trigger i might go to
ALLY'S COLLEGE CRUSH
When investigators found that Ally's final textual content messages had been with Brandon Theesfeld, they wished to speak to him — and shortly.
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: We ... referred to as ... late Saturday, early Sunday morning to come back in and provides an interview.
Investigators additionally tried monitoring Ally's cellphone on Saturday, however it solely pinged as soon as in Oxford earlier than the sign died. Theesfeldresponded however made excuses about why he could not meet all weekend. Lastly…
Jarrett Bundren: He ... Mentioned that he could be there at 8:30 Monday morning.
Michelle Miller: And eight:30 Monday morning got here?
Jarrett Bundren: No Brandon.
Lafayette County Assistant District Lawyer Mickey Mallette says that is when the choice was made to begin monitoring his cellphone.
Mickey Mallette: Once they try this mid-morning on a real-time-situation, they'll see the place he's.
Michelle Miller: What did you discover out?
Jarrett Bundren: That he was on Interstate 55 headed north towards Memphis.
Mickey Mallette: From right here to go to the place he lives in Texas, that is most likely the commonest approach to go. ... They'll see his location shifting away from Oxford.
District Lawyer Ben Creekmore says with Theesfeld showing to be on the run, investigators bought an affidavit of arrest for homicide and instantly despatched out a bulletin.
Ben Creekmore: Once we noticed that his truck was leaving Oxford, there was a BOLO for his tag.
Michelle Miller: A BOLO?
Ben Creekmore: "Be looking out."
It did not take lengthy for the Memphis fugitive job power to identify Theesfeld.
Jarrett Bundren: About an hour and a half, two hours later ... they caught him on the fuel station.
Bundren says Theesfeld was sitting on the pumps in his pickup truck, which had easy-to-spot license plates.
Michelle Miller: The tag on the plates?
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: Says "Take it"
Michelle Miller: Onerous to overlook.
Jarrett Bundren: Very arduous to overlook.
A dashcam captured Theesfeld being taken into custody. Police instantly alerted investigators in Mississippi about what they'd discovered within the truck and on his clothes.
Ben Creekmore: He had a 40-caliber gun in line with the caliber of the shell casings that had been discovered on the scene. ... And he had blood on him.
Bundren headed north to select him up.
Jarrett Bundren: He was calm. You realize, learn him his rights. ... He invoked his rights, wished his legal professional. He was picked up in Tennessee. We requested him if he would signal a waiver of extradition, come again to Mississippi. ... And he signed it and we introduced him again.
With Theesfeld in custody, investigators started retracing his steps the weekend of Ally's homicide. They discovered that he had been popping up throughout Oxford, beginning on Saturday.
Jarrett Bundren: He stayed with some associates. They mentioned it was very informal. They went bowling, regular stuff.
However there was nothing regular about what he dropped at a good friend's home on Sunday.
Jarrett Bundren: Mentioned he got here into his home carrying a gun … and unloaded the gun in the home. ... He introduced in a six pack of beer and mentioned that they sat up for some time. ... When he bought up the subsequent morning, he was gone.
Whereas Theesfeld wasn't speaking to investigators – he would ultimately speak to an legal professional, Tony Farese, employed by his household.
Tony Farese: He had a life stuffed with promise ... obtained a number of love in a superb Christian household.
Farese discovered Theesfeld was a physician's son. He appeared to have loved a typical Texas childhood.
Tony Farese: He preferred the outside ... searching ... fishing. ... He was a soccer participant. ... He had by no means been in a combat in class. ... No historical past of violence.
It wasn't lengthy after arriving in Oxford that Theesfeld met Ally.
Tony Farese: He met her at a ... native bar. They dated casually throughout their freshman yr. ... I believe she was extra enthralled with Brandon than Brandon was along with her, fairly candidly.
Based on Farese, their relationship turned difficult after they had been sophomores.
Michelle Miller: Did he really block her from his cellphone?
Tony Farese: Sure. ... She had texted him a lot ... late at evening when she's out consuming and partying, and it bought to the purpose the place he did block her cellphone. Sure.
However one thing shifted by their junior yr, and the 2 bought again in contact.
Tony Farese: I believe she noticed this ... as a mutual romantic endeavor, and Brandon didn't see it that approach.
Which might clarify one factor.
Michelle Miller: So, when did you first meet him?
Elizabeth Brock: I by no means met him.
Ally's closest associates did not know Theesfeld in any respect. Morgan Hull says she'd solely met him one time.
Morgan Hull: It is so odd that we had been her greatest associates, and we nonetheless actually did not even know him that nicely. Like when this occurred, we did not even know his final identify.
However in August of 2019, Theesfeld's identify was entrance web page information. That is when the case was offered to a grand jury. The proof included photos of the gun and shell casings, and a letter investigators recovered throughout a search of his house apparently written by Theesfeld the weekend Ally was discovered lifeless. Prosecutors say it is a confession.
Ben Creekmore: The letter ... that he is written to his mother and pop ... involved about what he is executed.
Theesfeld wrote that he'd at all times had "horrible ideas" and "that is the top for me … I am both going to jail or going to die". He additionally wrote "I do know I'll get caught".
Michelle Miller: He confessed?
Mickey Mallette: I believe he did. He did not say he dedicated the homicide.
Ben Creekmore: You might argue that it was a confession, an apology to his mother and pop —
Mickey Mallette: — was an apology.
Tony Farese says he spoke to Theesfeld in regards to the letter and says it was additionally one thing extra: a suicide be aware.
Tony Farese: He writes a goodbye be aware to his household, tells them that he loves them, apologizes for what he is executed. ... I'm informed by Brandon that he has the gun to his head after which passes out.
The grand jury handed down their indictment.
Jake Thompson: Capital one homicide.
On the time Jake Thompson was a reporter for the native paper, the Oxford Eagle. He says Theesfeld confronted the demise penalty for kidnapping and murdering Ally.
Jake Thompson: It rocks Oxford to its core as a result of, , Oxford takes in these folks, they're one among their very own for 4 years, 5 years, nevertheless lengthy you are right here. ... And so, it was it was robust for each the educational and the college and the residents of Oxford.
In late September, Theesfeld appeared in court docket to enter a plea: not responsible.
Jake Thompson: The massive query, , after all ... why did it occur? ... And that was one thing that we had been all initially making an attempt to determine.
Investigators hoped to seek out some solutions in a whole lot of textual content messages between Ally and Theesfeld. And what they found included some life-changing information.
Mickey Mallette: The primary messages about it began in early April.
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: Do not share this with anybody.
A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP
Cindy Kostial: We're caught … cannot transfer ahead … days are simply tough.
Michelle Miller: When you concentrate on her not being right here … That makes you're feeling what?
Maddy Norris: Unhappy and damaged.
As Ally's family and friends waited for Brandon Theesfeld to go to trial for her homicide, prosecutors had been constructing their case. They had been hoping textual content messages between the 2 might present perception about what could have led to her demise.
Ben Creekmore: We all know … extra about what he could have been pondering and we all know extra about what she could have been pondering.
Michelle Miller: What was the connection between these two?
Mickey Mallette: Effectively, that could be completely different relying on who you ask. … I believe it might be honest to say that she checked out it with a extra severe eye over the whole lot of the connection.
Theesfeld's protection legal professional Tony Farese.
Tony Farese: From Brandon's standpoint, it was an off-the-cuff, sexual relationship.
Morgan Hull: They had been by no means boyfriend and girlfriend. They did not go on dates, like he did not decide her up or take her out to dinner. None of that. However he would inform her he wasn't adequate for her and that is why they could not be collectively.
Morgan and Elizabeth say it was an odd relationship, carried out over texts.
Elizabeth Brock: He undoubtedly manipulated her.
Elizabeth Brock: I believe we had been simply extra like upset with how if she would present us texts from him or inform us issues he would say there have been actually unkind to her.
Michelle Miller: So, you knew she preferred this boy.
Cindy Kostial: Yeah, yeah.
Keith Kostial: However she by no means actually had talked about him, no less than to me, over time, or that he was, , even on this scene in any respect.
Michelle Miller: Was there something in her conduct that urged issues weren't regular?
Cindy Kostial: See, and that is the factor she's informed me every thing in life. However by no means mentioned him.
Cindy and Keith say they haven't learn their daughter's textual content conversations uncovered by investigators.
Cindy Kostial: No, we have not learn any of it.
Michelle Miller: Will you?
Cindy Kostial: I do not know if I can.
In April 2019, simply three months earlier than her demise, Ally was preparing for spring semester finals. What her mother did not know was Ally was centered on a distinct sort of take a look at — a house being pregnant take a look at.
Michelle Miller: If you discovered about that. Was that one thing so out of line for Ally and her conduct?
Cindy Kostial: Large time, yeah.
On April 14, she texted Brandon Theesfeld a photograph of an inconclusive house being pregnant take a look at and this message:
ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "…Prefer it's a really faint blue line … however idk I assume I can wait and see if my interval comes …"
That faint blue line is barely seen. Theesfeld's response:
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "Effectively all proper we are going to see, however whether it is pregnant we're not conserving. We are able to get a capsule."
Morgan Hull: She was undoubtedly frightened. She thought she could be pregnant.
On this textual content, Ally, it appears, was anxious and conflicted:
ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "I am not saying what I'm gonna do bc idk what's happenin… However even when you do not need to be concerned like I'm actually fairly and candy and I do know I'll meet an actual man at some point…."
It appeared Theesfeld didn't see fatherhood in his instant future.
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "…. I am severe – no child in any respect it should spoil my life...."
Morgan Hull: She was making an attempt to get into contact with Brandon about this and he or she had texted him and he would both simply ignore her of do the factor the place he would inform her, "OK, like I'll come over tonight and we are able to speak about this" after which he would by no means present up.
Michelle Miller: So, she talked to you about this.
Elizabeth Brock: Yeah, she got here to us straight away.
Investigators would later be taught after Brandon Theesfeld obtained information about that being pregnant take a look at, he had been looking the web for "mom needs child father doesn't."
Tony Farese: Sure, he did counsel an abortion. … Initially, there was speak about that. He regrets that, however that did happen and that is memorialized within the textual content messages.
Michelle Miller: So, in your thoughts, if she was pregnant, she would have had the child.
Maddy Norris: She would have given it the world, actually.
Ally, regardless of the ambiguous take a look at end result, would textual content Theesfeld day and evening. Lots of her messages are lengthy, revealing, and troubling, says forensic psychologist Kris Mohandie. He was not concerned within the case. "48 Hours" requested him to learn a number of the textual content messages.
Dr. Kris Mohandie: These prolonged just about one-sided conversations that had been initiated by Ally, , with little or no in return from Brandon ... make this a really lopsided funding into this relationship.
This trade 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. I did that so my physique would possibly determine HAHHA no not at the moment …"
Then at 2:37 a.m. she texts:
ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "I considered it if you wish to speak to me in individual that may be higher ..."
Theesfeld responds nearly 9 hours later:
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "I can speak tomorrow. I am busy at the moment. I am nonetheless going to have the choice of the capsule."
Dr. Kris Mohandie: To me, there's a number of layers there.
Michelle Miller: Do you sense that in any respect, primarily based on what you've got learn ... that he has any — need to maintain her on the sideline?
Dr. Kris Mohandie: It seems that he has no need to maintain her on the sideline ... from what I've seen in these communications. He is speaking simply sufficient for a goal to attempt to affect her into terminating the being pregnant, if certainly she is pregnant ... that appears to me to be his solely funding in any of those communications.
Mohandie says Ally could have been making an attempt to get Brandon Theesfeld's consideration with texts about her consuming.
Michelle Miller [reading text to Kris Mohandie]: "Up to now 48 hours, I've actually drank a full bottle of tequila, two bottles of champagne, seven beers, a glass of wine ..." I can not even think about somebody her dimension with the ability to devour that a lot alcohol.
Kris Mohandie: That is a number of alcohol to devour for any person of her dimension, and for many individuals, if not most individuals. My concern could be, , alcohol poisoning or an overdose from alcohol — which is why ... I elevate the query — how a lot she's consuming. Or it is being exaggerated to indicate, "Hey —" to inform Brandon, "I am self-destructive. Come to my rescue. You have gotta assist me. I am determined."……
Michelle Miller: Do you consider Brandon believed she was pregnant?
Tony Farese: I do know that Ali claimed to have been pregnant. So, the query is why would she declare to be pregnant if she weren't pregnant. Therefore, my conclusion is that she wished a severe relationship with Brandon, which in her thoughts might have included marriage.
The textual content messages had created a digital map of an advanced relationship. In addition they gave investigators clues about the place Theesfeld was heading per week earlier than Ally's demise.
On Friday July 12, Theesfeld would take a highway journey house to Fort Price, Texas. That very same day, Ally texted him a photograph of two extra ambiguous house being pregnant exams. Lower than 48 hours later, at 4:16 p.m. he posts a disturbing photograph on social media.
Ben Creekmore: He does a Snapchat saying, with an image of this .40 caliber gun.
And there is a chilling caption: "lastly taking my child again to Oxford."
A DISTURBING DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
By the point Brandon Theesfeld drove again from Texas to Mississippi, he'd left a digital footprint and prosecutors say it revealed a deeply disturbing internet search historical past.
Ben Creekmore: He's doing a little pc searches on get away with crimes … conceal crimes, planning preparation kind stuff … tie folks up and lure them … he did a search on.
Ben Creekmore and Mickey Mallette: Ted Bundy.
For Ally's good friend Morgan it was an eerie reminder.
Morgan Hull: Just a few months earlier than this occurred, Ally and I watched the Ted Bundy film collectively and we simply sat in her mattress, and we ate popcorn and snacked. … and we had been like, "that is so tousled". … After which months later, , this occurs to Ally.
Michelle Miller: What rationalization do you might have for what he was pondering when he's making these searches?
Tony Farese: Effectively, he definitely has some searches that could possibly be troubling. It relies on the way you view these whenever you begin somebody's search historical past … you might be watching TV … you've got bought all types of recent reveals that characteristic Ted Bundy.
Lawyer Tony Farese says the search historical past would not show Theesfeld had been planning to shoot Ally. He says there's an harmless rationalization for why his consumer introduced that pistol again to Mississippi.
Tony Farese: That is not outlandish in our a part of the nation … in Mississippi and Texas, folks — folks shoot. We have capturing ranges right here in Oxford … so we deny that it was introduced again for the only real goal of killing Ally.
Nevertheless it was clear to prosecutors Theesfeld's journey to Texas and the pc searches had been a part of a fastidiously laid out plan.
Ben Creekmore: If you put it collectively it might seem to us what his goal was in bringing the gun again.
A gun, that apparently, he did not even know use.
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: Should you sit there and also you undergo all of his Google searches, he do not even actually know work a gun … he was Googling … "hole level ammo" … "what button does what on a Glock pistol?"
On Thursday July 18, shortly earlier than 2 a.m., Ally texts Theesfeld a photograph of her abdomen.
The next day, Friday July 19 – the day earlier than her demise – Theesfeld texts Ally:
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "are you gonna be house at the moment trigger i might go to"
Nearly two hours later, Ally texts him one other photograph and this message:
ALLY KOSTIAL TEXT: "Prefer it is not like I am not that small anymore and I can fake I am fats rn … however idk its getting arduous"
After just a few extra texts from Ally, Theesfeld writes:
BRANDON THEESFELD TEXT: "Simply let me know if you find yourself again from going out, is your own home personal rn?"
Ben Creekmore: The … horrifying irony is that … textual content messages from him to her … had been asking …is it a superb surroundings, are your mates going to be there? … and … you may assume that she's pondering he needs to speak in regards to the being pregnant challenge and work on the connection. … in his thoughts, he is pondering I do not need any witnesses after I get her within the automotive with me.
Minutes earlier than midnight, a safety digital camera captured Ally strolling out of a bar in Oxford Sq.. Then, round 1:30 a.m., prosecutors say Theesfeld and Ally take that darkish and desolate drive to Sardis Lake.
Michelle Miller: When you flip off that paved highway, onto the dust highway, after which one other 10 minutes to get right here, there is not any one out right here, I imply that is an deserted fish camp.
Mickey Mallette: Sure, ma'am.
Assistant district legal professional Mickey Mallette and investigator Jarrett Bundren took "48 Hours" to the place the place it occurred the place there's now a makeshift memorial.
Michelle Miller: I imply, I can solely think about what was going via her head … wasn't she alarmed? Wasn't she involved?
Mickey Mallette: In her thoughts, she could not have had a cause earlier than that to be in the identical sort of worry. We'll by no means know, however I believe she was simply so blinded by her desperation … to speak about what to do, of their relationship.
Investigators discovered cans of White Claw Onerous Seltzer on the picnic desk. Eleven shell casings had been found on the bottom.
Michelle Miller: What did ballistics inform you?
Investigator Jarrett Bundren: Ballistics inform me he was both sitting throughout from her on that aspect of the desk, he fires one shot, there was one shell casing (Jarrett factors) right here, and the opposite 10, had been in that space coming across the desk, they was not multi functional spot, it like began (strikes his arm from left to proper) coming all the best way round.
Michelle Miller: He circled her?
Jarrett Bundren: Yeah.
Michelle Miller: And with each transfer.
Jarrett Bundren: He was firing … even one spherical hit the desk, proper there.
Michelle Miller: And he simply left her right here?
Jarrett Bundren: Left her right here.
Theesfeld knew all about that place on the lake; He'd been there his freshman yr. His legal professional informed "48 Hours" what Theesfeld says occurred that evening.
Tony Farese: He had been consuming all day, she had been consuming, they're listening to music. They begin speaking. … Brandon has some cocaine … he goes to the truck, does somewhat cocaine contained in the truck, goes again to the picnic desk.
Theesfeld, he says, goes again to his truck once more, grabs his pistol, and fires a shot throughout the lake.
Jarrett Bundren: Yeah.
Michelle Miller: And with each transfer.
Tony Farese: She states, "Oh, you are loopy". They sit there and speak, then he shoots her.
Keep in mind, Ally was shot no less than 9 occasions.
Michelle Miller: Why? … It simply got here out of nowhere?
Tony Farese: I am undecided out of nowhere. … Brandon denies that it was deliberate when he took her on the market.
Tony Farese: I do not suppose Brandon would have been on this state of affairs however for his selection of consuming alcohol after which utilizing cocaine.
Michelle Miller: So, you are saying in that second inebriated and cocaine, he snapped?
Tony Farese: That is what I am saying.
Cindy Kostial: It was out of rage. Out of rage.
Michelle Miller: And rage for what?
Cindy Kostial: Perhaps he thought he was going to be a father and he wished to finish it his personal approach.
A PLEA DEAL
The proof towards Brandon Theesfeld, in keeping with prosecutors, was overwhelming.
Ben Creekmore: There was a number of planning on Theesfeld's half about what he was going to do. I am not saying it was sensible the best way he did it, however a fairly good indication that he was in search of a distant location so her physique wouldn't be found.
Michelle Miller: Little question in your thoughts that that this was premeditated?
Mickey Mallette: Little question.
Michelle Miller: Warmth of ardour?
Ben Creekmore: No no, it was chilly and calculated —
Mickey Mallete: — this was calculated over a really prolonged time period…
Ben Creekmore: Which is why it was capital homicide.
In Mississippi, a capital homicide cost means one other felony crime was concerned, and, on this case, prosecutors say that crime was kidnapping. They consider Theesfeld lured Ally into his truck.
Ben Creekmore: … below the guise of working the connection out when he had a .40-caliber pistol and had deliberate her homicide all alongside.
Theesfeld's legal professional says that concept could be robust to show at trial.
Tony Farese: They had been going to have to indicate that we kidnapped Ally. She voluntarily will get within the truck. They are going to try to say that we tricked her … that is a really massive stretch.
With Theesfeld going through a doable demise sentence, and prosecutors understanding a capital homicide trial could possibly be grueling, emotional, and dangerous for everybody concerned, they offered the protection with a suggestion.
Tony Farese: Should you get a plea aside from demise, then guess what? You have bought a situation the place a plea to a lesser cost of first-degree homicide is definitely extra engaging.
And that is precisely what occurred. On August 27, 2021, Brandon Theesfeld, wearing an orange jumpsuit, pleaded responsible to first-degree homicide. Ally's household and associates had been there carrying her favourite colour, pink.
The decide sentenced Brandon to life in jail. Reporter Jake Thompson was within the courtroom.
Jake Thompson: We by no means noticed emotion from him till the plea listening to when he spoke or learn somewhat bit … he broke down in tears … that was the primary time he confirmed emotion.
Theesfeld's audio was muffled when he confronted the decide and addressed the court docket. He mentioned partially:
"There isn't any excuse for my actions. I've requested God for forgiveness, and I hope at some point that you'll find it in your hearts to forgive me."
Tony Farese: Brandon Theesfeld stood up and accepted duty in open court docket. … And the conclusion of the implications of his actions are very actual and sobering … there is not any parole for homicide in Mississippi, so let me inform you that could be a horrible penalty.
Michelle Miller: Why did he say he killed her?
Tony Farese: There is no justification for his conduct. And I consider no good rationalization for what he did.
Michelle Miller: Does he say why, although?
Tony Farese: No, I am simply telling you to the most effective of, I imply there is not any good reply. … I believe what has been defined is he's impaired on alcohol, he is drunk. … he is impaired on cocaine. We definitely know what that does to somebody's thoughts … so, , was he justified? Completely not. … Had been they arguing? To not my information. … did the allegation of being pregnant occurring and on and on contribute to that? Actually, might have.
Tony Farese: He shared with us that he did not, he did not know, however he did not consider that she had been pregnant.
Michelle Miller: Oh, he mentioned he did not consider she –
Tony Farese: He doubted that she was –
Michelle Miller: He doubted that she was pregnant.
Tony Farese: He doubted that she was pregnant.
Prosecutors say the house being pregnant exams outcomes had been inconclusive. Ally's post-mortem report, nevertheless, was definitive.
Mickey Mallette: We all know medically she was not pregnant.
Might Ally have been pregnant within the months main as much as her demise? Based on a textual content message she despatched Theesfeld in early July, Ally says she had been bleeding and believed one thing was improper.
Mickey Mallette: There was … some proof that may have, that would point out she had a miscarriage.
Michelle Miller: Do you consider she was pregnant?
Cindy Kostial: I do. Sooner or later I do.
Michelle Miller: To your information, was she pregnant?
Morgan Hull: We simply do not know. She might have been, but additionally the outcomes had been inconclusive, so we actually simply aren't certain.
Prosecutors consider what occurred between Ally Kostial and Brandon Theesfeld is a cautionary story.
Ben Creekmore: I can not think about how there could possibly be any approach doable that Ally might have recognized that Brandon Theesfeld was able to doing what he did to her. If she had any concept that that is what this individual was able to, she would by no means had gotten in that truck … I believe love can blind us to sure issues that different folks can see that we won't.
Brandon Theesfeld's household selected to not take part in our broadcast. His mom requested his legal professional to share these phrases:
Tony Farese (studying e mail):
… after I heard Brandon was being spoken to by the police, I nonetheless had no single thought it could possibly be him … now, after two years and understanding extra of the small print of their relationship I'm heartbroken for each individual this impacts and crushed that our son didn't share with us any of the turmoil he was making an attempt to handle … I encourage each mum or dad to usually sit down with their youngsters, youngsters, younger adults, and focus on with them that there'll by no means be something too massive, too difficult, too uncontrolled that they can not inform you about. We'll at all times pray for the household and associates of Ally Kostial.
Cindy and Keith Kostial are holding on to their recollections.
Michelle Miller: How are you doing?
Keith Kostial: It is the quietest moments which might be essentially the most haunting
Cindy Kostial: She was my life. My every thing.
For her associates, Ally's love for sunsets nonetheless shines via.
Elizabeth Brock: So, each time we see a sundown or a pink sundown we're like that is Ally.
Morgan Hull: We simply attempt to stay for her and produce her gentle into the world.
Should you or anybody is fighting substance abuse or their psychological well being go to SAMHSA.gov or name 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Produced by Marcelena Spencer and Susan Mallie. Ryan Smith is the event producer. Iris Carreras is the sector producer. Phil Tangel, Richard Barber and Wini Dini are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.