HARTSELLE, ALABAMA: Authorities have apprehended a woman in connection with the death of another woman who was allegedly pushed off a cliff in 2021. Loretta Kay Carr, 43, from Fort Payne, Alabama, has been taken into custody and charged with the murder of Mary Elizabeth Isbell, 37, who had been reported missing in the town of Hartselle since late 2021.
The DeKalb County Sheriff's Department announced Carr's arrest on Sunday, June 25, shedding light on the disturbing incident that took place on October 18, 2021. Authorities allege that Carr abducted and killed Isbell by pushing her off a cliff. However, a discrepancy has emerged as Isbell's family claims she was seen alive in November 2021, a month after the supposed murder.
Search for Remains
DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies are now conducting a search for Isbell's remains at an undisclosed location, while Carr remains in custody without bond. The investigating agencies have not provided clarification regarding the discrepancy surrounding Isbell's last sighting. In court documents obtained by AL.com, Carr's lawyers argue that there is no evidence linking their client to Isbell's murder, 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 August 21 to further examine the case.
The disappearance of Mary Elizabeth Isbell raised concerns in December 2021 when her son's father, Steven Isbell, made a plea for information on social media. In a heartfelt post on December 27, he wrote, "I actually hate to put this out here on social media 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 bc she always at least calls him on the holidays... I’ve talked to her family and no one has heard from her. So we thought about doing a missing person report." A formal missing persons report was subsequently filed in January 2022 with both the Hartselle Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. A Facebook group dedicated to gathering information about her disappearance was established in April 2022.
On Mother's Day, Isbell's son paid a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, expressing his love and longing for his mother. "Happy Mother's Day momma if you're out there, and if not happy heavenly Mother's Day. I love and miss you so much, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you!" he wrote.
Background of the Victim
At the time of her disappearance, Isbell was living with her boyfriend, James Allen Wright, in DeKalb County. Reports from WAAY indicated that Isbell was suspected of theft before she went missing. In September 2021, Wright was arrested by the sheriff's office for an undisclosed crime and was later released to a rehabilitation facility in Florida. During his absence, Isbell was reportedly "living where she could in DeKalb County," as stated by the sheriff's office. Isbell's mother, Debbie Wood, described her daughter's relationship with Wright as "new but troubled," acknowledging that they frequently engaged in arguments. Wood added, "I think she got mixed up with some wrong people."
Authorities had initially claimed that Isbell was last seen on November 23, 2021, when she visited her mother in Hartselle, and was spotted the following day near her son's school. However, the criminal complaint filed on Monday, June 26, revealed that Isbell was killed one month prior to her reported appearance at her mother's house. Speaking about her anguish during the period when her daughter was reported missing, Wood expressed her conflicting emotions, stating, "Part of me wants to believe she's still here, the other part says 'Get ready for a funeral if we can find her remains.'"
Recovery Efforts
DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden issued a statement acknowledging the ongoing recovery efforts at an undisclosed location to possibly find human remains. "DCSO along with several other Law Enforcement entities and Emergency Services personnel are currently on the scene of an undisclosed location attempting to recover possible human remains. At this point, no other information is available. The case is a top priority and further information will be released when available and no risk of jeopardizing the case is considered," the statement read.
Mary Elizabeth Isbell's Facebook page featured the quote, "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." In the wake of her tragic death, numerous tributes have poured in on social media, commemorating her as a loving mother who cherished life. The news of Loretta Kay Carr's arrest for her alleged murder arrived just two days before what would have been Isbell's 39th birthday.
Tributes pour in
As the investigation unfolds and the search for answers continues, the Facebook group 'Search for Beth Isbell Wright' has become a space inundated with tributes. One woman wrote, "There are no words to describe the sadness and heartache. I'm so sorry for you all and [your] loved ones." Another offered, "RIH Beth, you will be truly missed. I'm still in shock from this news... As you're one of a kind and most definitely didn't deserve this. I know you have everyone up there laughing boo... And family, y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry y'all [are] going through this." Someone else stated, "Sweet Beth, when I first found out I was speechless, but now my heart just aches for all of your loved ones. You always had such a big personality and an even bigger smile. We had a lot of good talks about life and where it takes us. You are loved and greatly missed."
