Topline: Brandon Isabelle sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and their newborn daughter.
Published: October 3, 2025 12:00 pm ET
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Left: Danielle Hoyle, Center: Kennedy Hoyle, Right: Brandon Isabelle (via Facebook, Action News 5)
MEMPHIS, TN — Brandon Isabelle received three life sentences with the possibility of parole for fatally shooting his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and throwing their 2-day-old daughter into the Mississippi River.
Isabelle, 28, faced charges including first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated neglect, and aggravated child abuse in the deaths of the 27-year-old mother and child.
The verdict came on September 30, 2025, following a seven-day trial in Memphis. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the unanimous decision, according to ABC24.
Authorities arrested Isabelle in February 2022 after investigators found Hoyle’s abandoned car with a broken window near an intersection. Inside the vehicle, they found Danielle Hoyle shot to death, according to statements from prosecutors.
Relatives told police that Hoyle had been on her way to meet Isabelle with their newborn child, who was subsequently reported missing.
During questioning, Isabelle told investigators he had killed the woman and threw the baby into the Mississippi River. The body of the baby, Kennedy Hoyle, has not been found.
After disposing of Kennedy, Isabelle went to a Walgreens and bought gifts for his new girlfriend. He later visited a Walmart, where he threw the baby’s car seat into a dumpster.
A prosecutor stated Isabelle killed his daughter because it was a “matter of convenience” so he could pursue a relationship with another woman. The prosecutor spotlighted a moment during Isabelle’s statement where he referred to Kennedy as “it.”
Isabelle’s defense team asked the jury for the possibility of parole. His attorney, William Massey, argued that Isabelle could be rehabilitated. Massey pointed to Isabelle’s achievements, including a 2020 Employee of mthe Year Award from FedEx, and jail courses he completed, ABC24 reported.
The trial included testimony from over a dozen experts, loved ones, and investigators. The state called April Campbell, the mother of Danielle Hoyle and grandmother of Kennedy Hoyle, as one of its first witnesses.
A prosecutor asked Campbell how long her family had with the baby. Campbell said through tears that the family got to be with Kennedy “Maybe an hour at the most, a little over an hour.” She added, “We got her for an hour, and then she was gone.”
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office praised the verdict, according to ActionNews5. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the jury’s decision holds Isabelle accountable and affirms the lives of Danielle and Kennedy.
Isabelle will return to court October 31 for a status report on the first two first-degree murder counts. A sentencing hearing for his remaining convictions—aggravated kidnapping and aggravated child abuse—is scheduled for November 12.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Memphis Man Gets Life for Murdering Two-Day-Old Daughter, Mother
Brandon Isabelle sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and their newborn daughter.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 3, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Left: Danielle Hoyle, Center: Kennedy Hoyle, Right: Brandon Isabelle (via Facebook, Action News 5)
MEMPHIS, TN — Brandon Isabelle received three life sentences with the possibility of parole for fatally shooting his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and throwing their 2-day-old daughter into the Mississippi River.
Isabelle, 28, faced charges including first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated neglect, and aggravated child abuse in the deaths of the 27-year-old mother and child.
The verdict came on September 30, 2025, following a seven-day trial in Memphis. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the unanimous decision, according to ABC24.
Authorities arrested Isabelle in February 2022 after investigators found Hoyle’s abandoned car with a broken window near an intersection. Inside the vehicle, they found Danielle Hoyle shot to death, according to statements from prosecutors.
Relatives told police that Hoyle had been on her way to meet Isabelle with their newborn child, who was subsequently reported missing.
During questioning, Isabelle told investigators he had killed the woman and threw the baby into the Mississippi River. The body of the baby, Kennedy Hoyle, has not been found.
After disposing of Kennedy, Isabelle went to a Walgreens and bought gifts for his new girlfriend. He later visited a Walmart, where he threw the baby’s car seat into a dumpster.
A prosecutor stated Isabelle killed his daughter because it was a “matter of convenience” so he could pursue a relationship with another woman. The prosecutor spotlighted a moment during Isabelle’s statement where he referred to Kennedy as “it.”
Isabelle’s defense team asked the jury for the possibility of parole. His attorney, William Massey, argued that Isabelle could be rehabilitated. Massey pointed to Isabelle’s achievements, including a 2020 Employee of mthe Year Award from FedEx, and jail courses he completed, ABC24 reported.
The trial included testimony from over a dozen experts, loved ones, and investigators. The state called April Campbell, the mother of Danielle Hoyle and grandmother of Kennedy Hoyle, as one of its first witnesses.
A prosecutor asked Campbell how long her family had with the baby. Campbell said through tears that the family got to be with Kennedy “Maybe an hour at the most, a little over an hour.” She added, “We got her for an hour, and then she was gone.”
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office praised the verdict, according to ActionNews5. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the jury’s decision holds Isabelle accountable and affirms the lives of Danielle and Kennedy.
Isabelle will return to court October 31 for a status report on the first two first-degree murder counts. A sentencing hearing for his remaining convictions—aggravated kidnapping and aggravated child abuse—is scheduled for November 12.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Memphis Man Gets Life for Murdering Two-Day-Old Daughter, Mother
Brandon Isabelle sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and their newborn daughter.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 3, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Left: Danielle Hoyle, Center: Kennedy Hoyle, Right: Brandon Isabelle (via Facebook, Action News 5)
MEMPHIS, TN — Brandon Isabelle received three life sentences with the possibility of parole for fatally shooting his girlfriend, Danielle Hoyle, and throwing their 2-day-old daughter into the Mississippi River.
Isabelle, 28, faced charges including first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated neglect, and aggravated child abuse in the deaths of the 27-year-old mother and child.
The verdict came on September 30, 2025, following a seven-day trial in Memphis. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the unanimous decision, according to ABC24.
Authorities arrested Isabelle in February 2022 after investigators found Hoyle’s abandoned car with a broken window near an intersection. Inside the vehicle, they found Danielle Hoyle shot to death, according to statements from prosecutors.
Relatives told police that Hoyle had been on her way to meet Isabelle with their newborn child, who was subsequently reported missing.
During questioning, Isabelle told investigators he had killed the woman and threw the baby into the Mississippi River. The body of the baby, Kennedy Hoyle, has not been found.
After disposing of Kennedy, Isabelle went to a Walgreens and bought gifts for his new girlfriend. He later visited a Walmart, where he threw the baby’s car seat into a dumpster.
A prosecutor stated Isabelle killed his daughter because it was a “matter of convenience” so he could pursue a relationship with another woman. The prosecutor spotlighted a moment during Isabelle’s statement where he referred to Kennedy as “it.”
Isabelle’s defense team asked the jury for the possibility of parole. His attorney, William Massey, argued that Isabelle could be rehabilitated. Massey pointed to Isabelle’s achievements, including a 2020 Employee of mthe Year Award from FedEx, and jail courses he completed, ABC24 reported.
The trial included testimony from over a dozen experts, loved ones, and investigators. The state called April Campbell, the mother of Danielle Hoyle and grandmother of Kennedy Hoyle, as one of its first witnesses.
A prosecutor asked Campbell how long her family had with the baby. Campbell said through tears that the family got to be with Kennedy “Maybe an hour at the most, a little over an hour.” She added, “We got her for an hour, and then she was gone.”
The Shelby County District Attorney’s office praised the verdict, according to ActionNews5. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the jury’s decision holds Isabelle accountable and affirms the lives of Danielle and Kennedy.
Isabelle will return to court October 31 for a status report on the first two first-degree murder counts. A sentencing hearing for his remaining convictions—aggravated kidnapping and aggravated child abuse—is scheduled for November 12.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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