Welfare Check On Interstate Leads To Confession Of Edmond Cold Case Murder

An Edmond family has long-awaited answers after an arrest was made this week in their loved one’s murder. The 19-year-old victim was found dead in 2016 in her Edmond apartment near the University of Central Oklahoma.

 It was a long seven-and-a-half years for the Molloy family. 

“I’ve been waiting on this for a long, long time and I never really thought it would happen,” said Johnny Molloy, the victim’s father.

Johnny Molloy said his first feelings were shock and anger when he learned 27-year-old Joseph Beck was arrested for his daughter's murder. A familiar name to this family.

“Growing up with Joseph, he was the nicest guy, he was the sweetest guy,” said Christa Stanfiel, victim’s sister. “You would never think anything ill-mannered from him and to know this happened and that he did this over something so stupid.”

In an unusual turn of events on Thursday a welfare call led an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper to Beck who was sitting on the side of Interstate 40. Edmond police were called when Beck confessed to the Trooper to strangling Kyli Molloy to death. Edmond police said they knew Beck was the primary suspect when he gave specific details about the murder. 

“The things he was saying added up to our investigation,” said Emily Ward, Edmond Police Department.

During an interview, Beck told investigators he worked with Molloy and was attracted to her. Beck said he went to Molloy's Edmond apartment in 2016 with intentions to rape her. At one point in the night, Beck said Molloy asked him to leave and he became angry. Beck confessed to choking the 19-year-old and then putting his knee across her neck to make sure Molloy was dead.

“I think about this every second of every day since it happened,” said Molloy.

Molloy and his family now have some relief knowing the alleged killer is behind bars.

“I’m glad this man has come forward and want to see justice done,” said Molloy.

Another chilling detail from the victim's sister was Beck started reaching out to her only months after her sister's death wanting to meet up, even as recently as last month but she never responded. 

Beck is in custody at the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a first-degree murder complaint.