Oklahoma police officers responding to a welfare check got more than they bargained for last week when a disturbed man sitting on a highway admitted to being involved in a long-running cold case. For years.
Without provocation, Joseph Tyler Beck allegedly confessed to choking 19-year-old Jennifer Kyli Molloy in her apartment near the University of Central Oklahoma on October 5, 2016.
Beck disclosed the 7 1/2-year-old secret around 10:30 a.m. Thursday to a state trooper responding to a report of a man sitting on the side of the highway, according to police.
The 28-year-old man — wearing a Super Mario T-shirt — “voluntarily began speaking to her about his involvement in Edmond’s death in 2016,” the department said.
From the disturbing details he shared, the officers knew they had their man.
“The things he was saying were additive to our investigation,” Emily Ward, a spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, told News9.
In an interview with investigators, Beck allegedly said he had worked with Molloy and was attracted to her.
He returned to her apartment in the central Oklahoma city that fateful night intending to rape her, but became furious when she asked him to leave, he allegedly confessed.
That’s when he allegedly began strangling her until she died, police said.
Although happy to put the case to rest, Molloy’s family is devastated to learn that their loved one’s accused killer was someone they have known for decades – and who was recently in communication with them.
“Growing up with Joseph, he was the nicest guy. He was the nicest guy,” Christina Stanfiel, Molloy’s sister, told the outlet.
“You would never think anything rude from him, and to know that this happened and that he did this for something so stupid.”
According to Stanfiel, Beck had begun contacting her in hopes of scheduling a meeting in the months following his sister’s death.
He kept trying until last month – but luckily she never responded.
Molloy’s father described his feelings about the confession as shock and anger.
“I’ve thought about it every second of every day since it happened,” Johnny Molloy said.
“I’m glad this man has come forward and wants justice to be served.”
Beck has since been charged with first-degree murder.
New York Post
