MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brandon Isabelle, who is the father of a missing newborn baby, appeared in court Monday for allegedly killing his newborn daughter and mother of his child.
Isabelle, 25, pleaded not guilty before the judge. The judge announced in court that the hearing would be reset for Feb. 15.
MPD said Danielle Hoyle, 27, was found shot dead in a vehicle on Feb. 1 with her two-day-old newborn baby, Kennedy, nowhere to be found. Officers found an abandoned car seat at a Walmart in Whitehaven, which was later confirmed by family members to be Kennedy’s.
Hoyle was also the mother of a 10-year-old girl.
After court, Hoyle’s mother said she and Isabelle made eye contact during the court hearing.
“He looked me dead in the eyes. He knows who I am,” she said. “This never would have happened if had he not come back. He should have just stayed gone.”
Hoyle’s mother also said Isabelle spent time with Kennedy before she went missing.
“He got to hold her and everything,” she said. “How could you kill something that’s apart of you? If he didn’t want her, he should have just stayed gone. I never thought I would have to bury one of my kids.”
Isabelle admitted to killing Hoyle and throwing Kennedy into the water at the Upper Mud Island Boat Ramp before throwing the murder weapon into the Mississippi River and Wolf River Delta. However, his attorney says there are two sides to every story.
“We now begin from ground zero today, and we are hoping to get a copy of his statement, find out which officers questioned him,” Lauren Fuchs said. “His family has been very actively involved in getting with us, getting us retained so that he has someone to fight for him.”
He also admitted to luring Hoyle to the area of Levi and Sedgewick and shooting her, according to court documents.
Isabelle is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder, murder in the perpetration of aggravated kidnapping and tampering/fabricating evidence.
Isabelle is currently being held without bond.
The body of the newborn baby Kennedy has not yet been found. Memphis Police said the search for newborn ended Sunday, pending any new leads.
Her grandmother said she hopes Kennedy’s body is found soon so she can be buried with her mother.
Hoyle’s mother said Danielle and Brandon worked together at FedEx and weren’t involved long. The company released a statement saying in part:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of our team member and her newborn baby. Our heartfelt thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by these tragic and senseless events. We can confirm that Mr. Isabelle is no longer employed by FedEx. Please refer any additional questions at this time to local law enforcement.”