Toxic Relationship Tragedy: Ole Miss Murder and Brandon Theesfeld’s Conviction

In July 2019, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) community was rocked by the tragic death of 21-year-old student, Alexandria Kostial. Her body was discovered near a Mississippi lake, revealing she had been shot multiple times. Shortly after, fellow Ole Miss student Brandon Theesfeld, 22, from Fort Worth, Texas, was arrested and charged with her murder.

Rex Ravita, a former dorm neighbor of Theesfeld, provided insight into the accused, describing him as misogynistic and arrogant. Ravita noted Theesfeld’s tendency to flaunt his family’s wealth and make derogatory comments, particularly towards women. He revealed that Theesfeld and Kostial had an on-again, off-again relationship for about a year leading up to her death.

The funeral for Kostial was held in a St. Louis suburb, marking a somber farewell to a young life cut short. Reports emerged detailing the tumultuous relationship between Kostial and Theesfeld. It was revealed that Kostial had messaged Theesfeld about a potentially inconclusive pregnancy test, leading Theesfeld to express his reluctance to become a parent. Their communication dwindled, with Theesfeld often cancelling plans or avoiding face-to-face interactions.