by Fort Payne, Alabama – Nearly two years after a woman vanished without a trace, prosecutors say the truth behind her disappearance has finally come to light — and it points to a brutal betrayal by someone she knew.
Authorities confirmed this week that Loretta Carr has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the kidnapping and murder of 37-year-old Mary Beth Isbell, whose body was discovered years after she was reported missing.
The announcement was made Friday by the Ninth Judicial Circuit following Carr’s guilty plea earlier this month.
Guilty Plea Brings Long-Delayed Answers
Court records show Carr pleaded guilty on February 5 to first-degree kidnapping and murder in connection with Isbell’s 2021 death. In addition to the life sentence for murder, Carr received an extra 20 years for kidnapping.
Prosecutors said the case haunted investigators and Isbell’s family for years as they searched for answers.
“This is an example of a senseless act destroying a family,” said prosecutor Summer Summerford.
Daughter Previously Sentenced in Same Case
Carr was not alone in the crime. Her daughter, Jessie Kelly, pleaded guilty to murder in August 2025 and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, according to court records and local reporting.
The guilty pleas from both women ultimately confirmed what investigators had suspected since Isbell’s disappearance — that she was violently abducted and killed the night she vanished.
Confrontation Turned Violent, Prosecutors Say
According to prosecutors, the events began on October 18, 2021, when Carr and Kelly went to Isbell’s home in Alabama to confront her over a personal relationship involving Carr’s significant other.
What followed, authorities say, was a violent escalation.
Investigators allege that Isbell was attacked inside her home, forcibly taken against her will, and dragged into a vehicle. Prosecutors cited forensic evidence and witness statements recovered from the scene to support those claims.
“The evidence showed she was taken by force and did not leave voluntarily,” prosecutors said.
Taken to Canyon Overlook and Forced Over the Edge
Later that night, Carr and Kelly allegedly drove Isbell to Wolf Creek Overlook, located within Little River Canyon near Fort Payne.
In a chilling account detailed by prosecutors, Carr reportedly tied herself to a barrier with a rope, forced Isbell to climb over the overlook railing, and then pushed her off the side of the canyon.
“She was forced over the barrier and off the canyon,” prosecutors stated in a release.
Body Found Two Years Later
For nearly two years, Isbell’s fate remained unknown. She was officially reported missing in December 2021, and her family continued searching for answers.
Her remains were eventually discovered two years later at the bottom of the canyon beneath the overlook, confirming investigators’ worst fears.
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The discovery brought closure to the investigation, but not to the pain endured by her loved ones.
A Family Left Behind
Mary Beth Isbell was described by her family as a hardworking business owner who ran her own remodeling company. She was also the mother of a teenage son, whose life was permanently altered by her disappearance and death.
“A mother is left without a daughter, sisters are left without their sibling, and a son is left without his mother,” Summerford said.
Prosecutors praised the family for their cooperation throughout the lengthy investigation.
“This family has been through so much, but they walked with us and law enforcement every step of the way,” Summerford added.
Case Closes, Grief Remains
With Carr’s sentencing, the criminal case is now closed, but the emotional toll remains heavy for those who knew and loved Isbell.
Authorities emphasized that the outcome reflects years of investigative work and determination to bring accountability, even when answers take time.
“Justice does not erase the loss,” prosecutors said, “but it ensures the truth is finally known.”
What are your thoughts on cold cases finally being resolved years later? Share your perspective in the comments below.
