The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 22-year-old Brandon Theesfeld, of Texas, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Ole Miss student 21-year-old Ally Kostial. Theesfeld made his initial appearance in a Lafayette County Court this afternoon where he was formally charged with murder.
This comes four days after Kosital’s body was found near Sardis Lake, and reports indicate that she died after being shot eight times. No motive is known at this time as the investigation continues.
Theesfeld is also an Ole Miss student, and Interim Chancellor Larry Sparks stated that he has been suspended.
Theesfeld’s father, Daniel, spoke with WMC in Memphis and said that his son is innocent.
“I know my son is innocent,” he told WMC’s Kendall Downing, “And I have reasons to believe that I can’t share anything now. But I would ask everybody to please give him the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.”
Theesfeld’s bond hearing has not yet taken place.