43-year-old woman is arrested for murder after kidnapping another woman and pushing her off a cliff
A woman in Alabama is incarcerated, accused of killing another woman by pushing her off a cliff in 2021.
The deceased woman, Mary Elizabeth Isbell, 37, was believed to be missing since late 2021 in the town of Hartselle, just north of Birmingham.
On Sunday, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department announced that Loretta Ray Carr, 43, of Fort Payne, Alabama, had been arrested and charged with Isbell’s murder.
According to police, Carr kidnapped and killed Isbell by pushing her off a cliff on October 18, 2021.
However, since Isbell was first reported missing in early 2022, her family has maintained she was last seen in November 2021, a month after the alleged murder took place.
DeKalb County deputies are now searching for Isbell’s remains at an undisclosed location. ROAD 31 reports, while Carr is being held without bail. DailyMail.com has contacted crime investigation agencies regarding the discrepancy.
Mary Elizabeth Isbell was officially reported missing in January 2022, three months after police said she had been killed
Loretta Ray Carr, 43, of Fort Payne, was arrested Sunday for allegedly kidnapping 37-year-old Isbell and pushing her off a cliff to her death
Carr’s lawyers argue in court documents obtained by AL.com that there is no evidence that she killed Isbell
Isbell in the picture with her son in 2020, on Mother’s Day 2022 he wished her a ‘Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day’
Carr’s lawyers argue in court documents obtained by ALREADY. com that there is no evidence that she killed Isbell, as it remains unclear whether there was any connection between the two women.
DeKalb County District Judge Steven Whitmire has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 21.
In December 2021, Isbell’s son’s father posted a message on social media asking for information on her whereabouts.
“I actually hate putting this on social media here, but Facebook covers a wide area. [her son] hasn’t heard from his mom since September 6th on his birthday and he’s really worried about her because she always calls him at least during the holidays,” Steven Isbell wrote on Dec. 27.
“I have spoken to her family and no one has heard from her. So we thought about filing a missing person report,” he added.
In January 2022, an official missing persons report was filed with both the Hartselle Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. In April 2022, a Facebook group was created seeking information about her disappearance.
A month later, her son delivered a heartbreaking Facebook tribute on Mother’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom if you’re there and if not, Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day. I love and miss you so much that not a day goes by that I don’t think of you!” he wrote in part.
Isbell pictured with her boyfriend James Allen Wright, just before her disappearance he was arrested and sent to Florida rehab
Isbell’s car, a black Jeep, with Alabama tags
Isbell’s mom said in a 2022 interview that her daughter lived “where she could” in DeKalb County
At the time she was last seen, Isbell was living with her boyfriend, James Allen Wright, in DeKalb County.
WHERE reported in the summer of 2022 that Isbell was suspected of theft prior to her disappearance.
The station reported that James Allen Wright was arrested by the sheriff’s office in September 2021 for an undisclosed crime and was released to Florida rehab in November 2021.
While in jail, the sheriff’s office said, Isbell “lived wherever she could in DeKalb County.”
“I think she got involved with some of the wrong people,” her mother, Debbie Wood, told the local news outlet last year.
She described Isbell’s relationship as “new but troubled” and said they always got into fights.
Authorities have previously said Isbell was last seen on November 23, 2021 visiting her mother in her hometown of Hartselle, and was seen again the next day across the street from her son’s school.
But according to the indictment filed Monday, Isbell was murdered a month before she reportedly showed up at her mother’s house.
Speaking of her pain while her daughter was still reported missing, Wood said, “Part of me wants to believe she’s still here, the other part says, ‘Prepare for a funeral if we can find her remains.’ ‘
In a statement, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said: “DCSO, along with several other law enforcement agencies and emergency services personnel, is currently on the scene of an undisclosed location attempting to recover possible human remains. No other information is available at this time.
“The case is of the highest priority and further information will be released as it becomes available and no consideration will be given to the risk of jeopardizing the case.”
Last year, Isbell’s mother shared how she feared her daughter could be dead
On her Facebook page, Isbell wrote in her Intro section, “It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes us happy.”
Multiple social media tributes paid tribute to her as a loving mother who loved life. News of Carr’s arrest for her murder came two days before what would have been her 39th birthday.
Following the news that Isbell had been killed, a Facebook group titled ‘Search for Beth Isbell Wright’ was set up with people expressing their grief.
“There are no words to describe the sadness and heartbreak. I am so sorry for all of you and loved ones,” one woman wrote on Thursday.
Holly Douglas also posted, “Dear Beth when I first found out I was speechless but now my heart just aches for all of you loved ones.
“You always had such a great personality and an even bigger smile. We have had many good conversations about life and where it takes us. You are loved and sorely missed.”
And Shea Gonzalez wrote, “RIH Beth, you will be truly missed.
“I’m still in shock at this news… Because you’re unique and you definitely didn’t deserve this,” Gonzalez continued, vowing to continue to watch over her son.
“I know everyone up there is laughing… And family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m all sorry [are] go through here.’