Authorities say the remains of a woman missing since 2021 have been identified after the discovery of a body in Little River Canyon, and an additional person has been charged in connection with the crime.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said a search team on Wednesday found the remains of Mary Elizabeth Isbell at Little River Canyon National Park.

Fischer Rescue Squad, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Payne police and fire, investigators with the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement with the National Park Service participated in the operation.

Once the remains were located, Jacksonville State University’s Center for Applied Forensics were contacted to document and recover them. The remains were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science’s Huntsville Laboratory for an examination and identification.

Today, on what would have been her 39th birthday, the body was identified as that of Mary Elizabeth Isbell, also known as Mary Elizabeth Wright, a Hartselle woman missing since October 2021. She was reportedly living in DeKalb County at the time of her disappearance.

On Sunday, DeKalb County investigators charged Loretta Kay Carr, 45, of Fort Payne, with capital murder-kidnapping. Court documents allege Carr pushed Isbell off a cliff in October 2021.

Today Sheriff Nick Welden announced that Jessie Eden Kelly, who is currently in custody in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to Missouri on felony charges, has been charged with capital murder in connection with the case.

Weldon thanked the Pennsylvania State Police Corry Barracks, Huntsville Search Dog Unit, State of Alabama Aviation Unit, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Fischer Rescue Squad and all the volunteers who helped during the investigation.

“Each individual played an important role in bringing Beth home and holding those responsible for this horrific crime accountable,” Weldon said. “We would ask that you pray for Beth’s family and give them privacy as they navigate through this difficult time.”