A woman in Alabama is in custody accused of killing another woman by throwing her off a cliff in 2021.
The late woman, Mary Elizabeth Isbell, 37, has been missing since late 2021 in the town of Hartselle, north of Birmingham.
On Sunday, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department announced that Loretta Ray Carr, 43, of Fort Payne, Alabama, was 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 claims she was last seen in November 2021, a month after the alleged murder.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy are now searching for Isbell’s remains at an undisclosed location, reports WAAY 31, while Carr is being held without bail. has contacted investigating authorities 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 throwing her off a cliff to her death
Carr’s attorneys argue in court documents obtained by AL.com that there is no evidence she murdered Isbell
Isbell pictured with her baby son in 2020, on Mother’s Day 2022 he wished her a ‘Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day’
Carr’s attorneys argue in court documents obtained by AL.com that there is no evidence she murdered Isbell because it remains unclear if there was any connection between the two women.
DeKalb County District Judge Steven Whitmire has scheduled a preliminary hearing for August 21.
In December 2021, Isbell’s son’s father posted information about her whereabouts on social media.
“Actually, I hate posting this on social media, but Facebook covers a wide area.” [her son] “He hasn’t heard from his mother since his birthday on September 6th and he worries a lot about her because she always calls him at least on the holidays,” Steven Isbell wrote on December 27th.
“I spoke to her family and no one has heard from her.” “So we thought about filing a missing persons report,” he added.
An official missing persons report was filed with both the Hartselle Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in January 2022. In April 2022, a Facebook group was formed seeking information about her disappearance.
A month later, her son paid a heartbreaking tribute on Mother’s Day on Facebook.
“Happy Mother’s Day Mom if you’re out there and if you’re not Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven.” “I love and miss you so much there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thinking of you!” wrote he partially.
Isbell pictured with her boyfriend James Allen Wright. Shortly before her disappearance, he was arrested and sent to a rehab in Florida
Isbell’s car, a black jeep with Alabama tags
Isbell’s mother said in a 2022 interview that her daughter lived “where she could” in DeKalb County
When she was last seen, Isbell was living in DeKalb County with her boyfriend James Allen Wright.
WAAY reported in the summer of 2022 that before her disappearance, Isbell was suspected of theft.
The station reported that James Allen Wright was arrested by the sheriff’s office in September 2021 for an undisclosed felony and released to a Florida rehab facility in November 2021.
While he was in prison, the sheriff’s office said Isbell lived “where she could in DeKalb County.”
“I think she got involved with some wrong people,” her mother, Debbie Wood, told local news station last year.
She described Isbell’s relationship as “new but troubled” and said they were constantly at odds.
Authorities previously said Isbell was last seen on November 23, 2021 visiting her mother in her hometown of Hartselle and was sighted again the next day opposite her son’s school.
However, Isbell was killed a month before she was supposed to appear at her mother’s home, according to the criminal complaint filed on Monday.
Discussing her pain while her daughter was still reported missing, Wood said, “Part of me wants to believe she’s still here, the other part is like, ‘Get ready for a funeral when we see her mortals.’ can find remains.”
In a statement, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said, “DCSO is currently at an undisclosed location along with several other law enforcement and emergency medical service personnel attempting to recover possible human remains.” No additional information was available at this time.
“The case is a top priority and further information will be released as soon as it becomes available and no risk of compromising the case is considered.”
Last year, Isbell’s mother said she feared her daughter might be dead
On her Facebook page, Isbell wrote in her intro section, “It’s not how much we have, it’s how much we enjoy, that’s what makes us happy.”
Several tributes on social networks recognized her as a loving mother who loved life. News of Carr’s murder arrest came two days before her 39th birthday.
Following the news that Isbell had been murdered, a Facebook group entitled “Searching for Beth Isbell Wright” was inundated with people expressing their grief.
“There are no words to describe the sadness and heartache. I’m so sorry to all of you and your loved ones,” one woman wrote Thursday.
Holly Douglas also wrote, “Sweet Beth I was speechless when I first found out about this but now my heart only aches for all your loved ones.”
“You always had such a big personality and an even bigger smile.” We had many good conversations about life and where it is taking us. You are loved and missed dearly.’
And Shea Gonzalez wrote, “RIH Beth we will really miss you.”
“I’m still in shock to hear this news… You are one of a kind and you definitely don’t deserve this,” Gonzalez continued, promising to continue babysitting her son.
“I know you guys are all laughing up there… And my family is in my thoughts and prayers.” I’m all so sorry [are] going through that.’