Mustang High School Reacts To Murders Of Former Classmates

Michael Konopasek, News 9

MUSTANG, Oklahoma -- Two former classmates at Mustang High School are killed less than a month apart. Nineteen-year-old Kelsey Bransby died over the weekend after friends say someone shot her in the face.

10/31/2011 Related Story: OKC Woman Dies Days After Being Found On Apartment Floor

The new investigation is just getting started as police continue searching for Carina Saunder's killer.

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Police found Bransby at an apartment complex on southwest 89th Street in Oklahoma City. She was lying on the floor. On Monday in Mustang, a high school reacted to the news that not one, but now two of its recent students were killed just weeks apart.

Those at Mustang High School said the news is something they never wanted to hear.

"Growing up, I didn't hear that much about people from Mustang getting murdered, but now two girls already,"  Mustang High School senior Riki Wamsley said.

Students said the school did not make a public announcement, so they are slowly learning of Bransby's death.

"I didn't think anyone had been murdered in the last couple days, so it's [sparking] a big reaction [from] me," sophomore Madison Pawnee said.

Bransby was rushed to the hospital last Thursday and died over the weekend.

"When officers arrived there they did find a female inside of the apartment," said Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow of the Oklahoma City Police Department. "She did have trauma to the body."

Police are still looking for Bransby's killer.

"We do understand that there may be some students that are having trouble with this, and that's where our concern is right now," said Mary Leaver, Mustang Public School's communications director.

Leaver said Bransby was an extremely well-liked person and that counselors are available to talk with students.

"As a community, I'm sure anyone could tell you, it's hitting us very hard," Leaver said.

Bransby transferred to Vo-tech in the Deer Creek School District half way through her final year with Mustang Schools, where she had studied for more than 11 years.

Kelsey Bransby and Carina Saunders would have been in the same graduating class at Mustang High, now both young women are at the center of mysteries.

Oklahoma City police is asking for the public's help. If you have any information that may help investigators, call the Homicide tip line at (405)-297-1200.

Funeral arrangements for Bransby were pending as of late Monday.