LORETTA CARR, an Alabama woman will spend the rest of her life in prison after she and her daughter kidnapped her romantic rival and drove her to a national park, where she was forced off a cliff and killed.
Loretta Carr was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mary Beth Isbell, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. Carr also received a 20-year sentence for kidnapping. She pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Prosecutors said that on the night of October 18, 2021, Carr and her daughter, Jessie Kelly, went to Isbell’s home to confront her over a relationship Carr believed Isbell was having with her significant other. Authorities said the two attacked Isbell, forced her into their vehicle, and drove her to Wolf Creek Overlook at Little River Canyon National Park, approximately 75 miles southeast of Huntsville.
According to court records, Carr tied herself to a barrier at the overlook with a rope, forced Isbell to climb over the barrier, and then pushed her off the side of the canyon.
Isbell’s ex-husband reported her missing in December 2021. Investigators were unable to locate her remains for approximately 18 months.
As previously reported, Carr, who was 45 at the time, and Kelly, who was 22, were charged in 2023 in connection with Isbell’s death.
Isbell’s remains were discovered on June 28, 2023, and were positively identified two days later, which would have been her 39th birthday.
Authorities said the case remained unsolved until DeKalb County investigators received credible information in June 2023, which ultimately led to the arrests of Carr and Kelly.
Kelly pleaded guilty last year after initially being charged with capital murder. She accepted a reduced charge of murder, a decision announced on the day her trial was scheduled to begin. Prosecutors said Kelly was prepared to testify against her mother if the case had gone to trial. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
“This is an example of a senseless act destroying a family,” District Attorney Summer Summerford said in a statement. “A mother is left without a daughter, sisters are left without their sibling, and a son is left without his mother. This family has been through so much, but they have walked with us and law enforcement throughout this process and have been so responsive and helpful. Please continue to pray for this family as they continue to figure out how to go through life without their loved one.”
