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Arrest Made In Death Of Ole Miss Student Ally Kostial, Who Was Shot 8 Times And Left In Remote Area
Kostial's body was found about 20 miles from the University of Mississippi campus by deputies on patrol.
Authorities have made an arrest in connection with the death of University of Mississippi student Ally Kostial, who was shot eight times and left in a remote area.
Brandon Theesfeld, 22, was booked into the Lafayette County Jail Monday afternoon in connection to Kostial’s death, according to local station WLBT.
The jail docket lists Theesfeld as being held for “murder,” however authorities have declined to confirm whether he has been formally charged in the crime, The Oxford Eagle reports.
No further details have been released about how Theesfeld may be involved.
Kostial was last seen stopping outside the door of a bar Friday night, but she never went into the bar and was seen instead on surveillance footage walking away, WLBT reports.
Her body was found the next morning by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department in a remote area near a fishing camp about 20 miles outside of campus as deputies were making a routine patrol in the area.
She had reportedly been shot eight times.
Officials have released few details in Kostial’s death, citing their desire not to compromise an active investigation.
Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy told The Mississippi Clarion Ledger the college student’s body had been sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy.
"We're not releasing anything else yet so we don't compromise the integrity of the investigation and so we can determine who was responsible for this horrible crime," he said.
The 21-year-old had been taking summer classes and was working toward a bachelor’s degree in marketing with the School of Business Administration.
Her roommates reported she had come home Friday night, but left sometime later, without anyone hearing her leave.
Friend Anna Pasco told WMC she was shocked to hear Kostial had been killed.
“She quite possibly was the nicest human being that I’ve ever met,” she said. “It’s just hard for me because all I can think about when I see her face is what she went through, what she was thinking, what she was saying. It’s hard.”
The University of Mississippi Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks said in a statement that the university was saddened by the death.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and classmates and stand ready to support them during this time. We appreciate the work of the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department and Coroner as they conduct their investigation."
