Crime House Daily – Night Watch

Episode: "Man Threw 2-Day-Old Baby into River: Brandon Isabelle’s Crime"

Host: Katie Ring
Release Date: October 29, 2025

Overview

In this harrowing Night Watch episode, Katie Ring delves into the devastating case of Brandon Isabelle, a Memphis man who was recently found guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and their two-day-old daughter, Kennedy. The episode combines detailed case reconstruction, courtroom updates, and the emotional aftermath for the victims’ family, providing listeners with a comprehensive account of a crime that shocked the Memphis community and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and Main Players

• Introduction to Danielle Hoyle

  • Danielle: Churchgoer, FedEx employee, mother, hopeful for second motherhood
  • Met Brandon Isabelle, her coworker, in 2020, began dating in 2021
  • Brandon lied about being separated; was still married and seeing another coworker, Artisha Stewart
  • Danielle became pregnant in 2021, unaware of Brandon’s duplicity
  • Family, especially mother April Campbell, delighted at baby’s impending arrival

  (03:51) "Danielle is a regular churchgoer and is also a star employee at FedEx in Memphis…She has always been there for Danielle and her daughter and she told Danielle that she would help out when the new baby arrived." – Katie Ring

2. The Relationship Unravels

• Brandon focused on his mistress, Artisha Stewart, as Danielle's due date approached

• Artisha wanted proof of paternity and threatened to end the relationship

• Brandon prioritized his new romance over fatherhood, left Danielle unsupported during labor

• Danielle gave birth to Kennedy on January 31, 2022

• Brandon’s lack of excitement and immediate departure for Artisha's house

  (05:26) "But Brandon is not so excited. He leaves the hospital right after Danielle gives birth and heads straight to Artisha’s house to try and convince her to stay." – Katie Ring

3. The Crime: Timeline and Method

• Danielle left her mother's with newborn Kennedy to meet Brandon, who claimed to have baby clothes for her

• Brandon directed Danielle to a less safe area, then shot her five times

• Dragged Danielle’s body to a ditch, took Kennedy (still in car seat), and drove to Mud Island

• Threw Kennedy into the Mississippi River; disposed of the murder weapon

• Attempted to cover tracks: texted Danielle's phone, left car seat by dumpster, bought present for Artisha

  (07:28) "He pulls it out, aims it at Danielle, and pulls the trigger on the mother of his child five times…He places the two-day-old girl in his car, then drives away." – Katie Ring

4. Immediate Investigation & Arrest

• Officer Cody Sutton discovered Danielle’s abandoned vehicle, shattered window, blood splatter (11:45)

• Family involvement: April Campbell’s heartbreak, officers’ urgency

• Early clues: messages from Brandon on Danielle’s Apple Watch, Amber Alert for Kennedy

• Quick suspicion and arrest of Brandon, search of his home found gun holster, ammunition, blood-stained socks (12:35)

• GPS, security footage, and internet history built overwhelming case

  (12:21) "Pretty soon they spot a pair of pink shoes in a ditch. When they get closer, they discover Danielle’s body...The authorities are now rightfully suspicious of Brandon." – Katie Ring

5. Confession, Evidence, and Search for Kennedy

• Brandon eventually confessed, initially claimed accident, then admitted shooting Danielle and drowning Kennedy

• Divers and search parties never recovered Kennedy’s body, but found her newborn hospital cap (19:35)

• Physical and digital evidence: GPS, surveillance, ballistic residue, blood analysis, witness statements

  (16:55) "At first, he claims it was all just a terrible accident, but he eventually admits that he shot Danielle five times with a 9 millimeter Glock..." – Katie Ring

6. The Trial and Verdict

• Two-week trial in September 2025, 30 witnesses, highly emotional testimony from Danielle’s mother

• Evidence presented: baby’s car seat, GPS data, messaging records, physical evidence

• Defense argued false confession due to police coercion, highlighted Brandon’s work record, stressed lack of recovered gun or body

• Prosecution countered with evidence only Brandon could know, damning police testimony, and overwhelming circumstantial proof

  (20:11) "Prosecutors show the court Kennedy's car seat...When he sees the child's car seat, Brandon begins to cry." – Katie Ring

• Jury returned guilty verdict on all charges in just three hours

• Prosecuting attorney’s remarks underscored tragic loss and innocence of victims

  (21:29) "Kennedy Hoyle should be three years old. She should be growing, learning, getting into things...But she's forever frozen in time, not even two days old, along with her mother Danielle. They're gone because of that man." – Prosecutor Drew Carpenter

• Sentenced to life in prison with parole possible after 51 years for both murders; additional sentencing pending on child abuse and kidnapping

7. Aftermath and Family Response

• Danielle’s mother, April, now raising her granddaughter; describes feeling overdue relief at the verdict

  (22:27) "I actually slept and it kind of felt good. Kind of got like a little release yesterday to hear that verdict. Guilty on all five charges...All he had to do was walk away. My baby gave him an out and all he had to do was stay gone." – April Campbell

• Kennedy’s body and the murder weapon have never been found; call for public help from authorities

  (23:13) "Police have asked for anyone with knowledge of where her remains might be to call the Memphis Police at 901-545-2677 or Crime Stoppers." – Katie Ring

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Danielle’s hopes for motherhood:
  "She can’t wait for her to become a big sister...it’s a really joyous time for Danielle and her family." (04:40) – Katie Ring

• Brandon’s heartlessness post-murder:
  "And the craziest part is that after violently murdering the mother of his child and his two day old baby girl, he shows no remorse. He immediately texts Artisha and asks if he could come see her." (09:42) – Katie Ring

• Prosecutor’s closing remarks:
  "Kennedy Hoyle should be three years old...But she’s forever frozen in time, not even two days old, along with her mother Danielle." (21:29) – Prosecutor Drew Carpenter

• April Campbell’s relief after trial:
  "I actually slept and it kind of felt good...Guilty on all five charges. I’m just happy he’s going to prison and he’s going to be gone. All he had to do was walk away. My baby gave him an out and all he had to do was stay gone." (22:27) – April Campbell

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:20 | Case introduction, Danielle & Brandon’s relationship | | 05:56 | Danielle’s pregnancy and family support | | 07:10 | Birth of Kennedy, Brandon’s detachment | | 07:45 | Description of the murder and abduction of Kennedy | | 11:45 | Discovery of Danielle’s car & body by police | | 12:35 | Early investigation, search for evidence, and Brandon’s arrest | | 16:55 | Brandon’s confession and ongoing search for Kennedy | | 19:35 | Search parties recover Kennedy’s hospital cap | | 20:11 | Emotional trial testimony, evidence presentation | | 21:29 | Prosecution’s closing statement | | 22:27 | April Campbell’s post-verdict feelings | | 23:13 | Call for public help and ongoing case status |

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Katie Ring’s narration is direct, empathetic, and fact-driven, balancing the urgency of breaking crime news with respect for victims and survivors. The overwhelming sense is one of sorrow and shock over the callousness of the crimes, relief at the guilty verdict, and frustration over the loss that can never be remedied.

For Listeners Seeking More

• For updates: Follow Crime House Daily on social media (CrimeHouse24.7)
• To support Danielle’s family or assist the investigation: Contact Memphis Police (901-545-2677)
• Engaged discussion: Listeners are invited to share thoughts in the comments