FORT PAYNE, AL – In a harrowing case that stunned northeast Alabama, a woman will serve life in prison after admitting to a plot that ended with her romantic rival being pushed off a cliff in a national park.
Loretta Carr, of DeKalb County, pleaded guilty to murdering Mary Beth Isbell, whose disappearance haunted the community for years. Carr, joined in the crime by her daughter Jessie Kelly, was also handed a 20-year sentence on a kidnapping conviction, according to prosecutors.
The chilling events unfolded on the night of October 18, 2021, when Carr and Kelly drove to Isbell’s home, reportedly to confront her about a personal relationship entanglement. What began as a confrontation took a violent turn as the duo attacked Isbell, forced her into their vehicle, and drove to a remote overlook in Little River Canyon National Park.
At Wolf Creek Overlook, prosecutors said Carr tied herself to a barrier for leverage, compelled Isbell over the edge, and then forced her down the canyon’s steep drop. The area, known for its scenic beauty, became the last place Isbell would be seen alive.
Isbell’s ex-husband reported her missing in December 2021. For nearly 18 months, her loved ones were left without answers, while investigators sifted through limited clues. The search for Isbell’s body stretched across rugged terrain until June 2023, when new information led authorities to Wolf Creek Overlook. There, her remains were finally recovered on June 28, just two days before what would have been her 39th birthday.
Carr and Kelly were arrested soon after the discovery, as authorities connected the dots from evidence found at the scene and recent witness statements. Both faced charges of first-degree murder, though Kelly eventually pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder as her trial neared and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.
Kelly was sentenced to 40 years in prison, her fate tied to the same crime she committed alongside her mother. Documents show she had originally faced a capital murder charge before negotiations with prosecutors led to the lesser count.
Community members say the ordeal has devastated Isbell’s family, who continued to search for answers during the long, painful months she was missing. The case has also left a mark on the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who spent more than a year tracking developments in the investigation.
Officials credited persistence and a critical tip in June 2023 for finally resolving the mystery. Investigators say the cooperation of those involved, and the involvement of Isbell’s family throughout the process, helped bring the case to a close.
Carr, now convicted, will spend the rest of her life incarcerated, with the additional kidnapping sentence to be served consecutively. Kelly, who faced a lengthy prison term, is expected to serve most of her 40-year sentence.
Authorities described the crime as a senseless act rooted in jealousy and personal animosity—one that tore apart several families and left lasting scars on all those involved.