In addition to the high-profile murder of a University of Mississippi student, local authorities have been tasked with investigating the slayings of four more women — all who were killed over the past weekend.
The Clarion Ledger reported that arrests have been made in four of the five murders which have occurred in the state in the span of 24 hours.
On Sunday morning, police found University of Mississippi student Alexandria “Ally” Kostial, 21, fatally shot eight times in Harmontown, roughly 10 miles from the college, according to the New York Post. Suspect Brandon Theesfield, 22, was arrested a day later for her slaying. Authorities haven’t revealed how the pair knew one another.
In addition to Kostial, Lisa Nguyen, 59, (not pictured) was reportedly shot and killed Saturday during an attempted robbery which occurred at a Hattiesburg grocery store owned by her parents. The Hattiesburg American reported that no arrests have been made in connection with her death.
According to WCBI, Arykah White, 16, was attending a Sweet 16 party in Columbus on Saturday when suspect Curtis Lathan, 17, opened fire at the community park, killing her. Authorities have described White as an innocent bystander but declined to reveal additional details regarding the case.
Zaria Newton, 20, was reportedly shot and killed Saturday when she and her boyfriend returned to their Brookhaven home amid a break-in. WLBT reported that three suspects, Adrian Smith, Justin Anderson, and Jatavious Berry, are in custody on capital murder charges. WAPT reported that a fourth suspect, Shawan Allen, died Monday during a police shootout.
The Hattiesburg American reported that officers responded to a disturbance in Hattiesburg at around 3:40 a.m. Sunday and found Shayna Cline, 19, dead of an apparent gunshot wound in a vacant lot. Her boyfriend, Billy Lester, 31, was immediately arrested across the street and has been charged with her murder.
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[Featured image: Alexandria Kostial/VSCO; Arykah Patrice White, Shayna Catherine Cline, and Zaria Newton/Facebook]
