Man Sitting On Side Of Road Confesses To 2016 Murder

A routine welfare check in Oklahoma resulted in a 2016 murder cold case finally being solved.

Joseph Beck , 28, voluntarily confessed to fatally strangling Jennifer Kyli Molloy , 19, after being spotted sitting on the side of Interstate 40, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced last week. Troopers conducted a welfare check and Beck admitted responsibility for Molloy's murder and was taken to the Edmond Police Department, which had previously investigated the cold case.

Beck was charged with first-degree murder in relation to Molloy's death and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on Friday (May 3), where he remained incarcerated at the time of publication on Monday's (May 6), CBS News reports.

A routine welfare check by Trooper Matt Snyder #828 turned into much more on Thursday. A passerby reported someone...

Posted by Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Friday, May 3, 2024

"This is yet another example of how a trooper never knows exactly what he or she will encounter on the side of the road. Good job by everyone and we hope this ultimately ends in answers for an Oklahoma family," the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said in a post shared on its Facebook account, which included photos of Beck handcuffed on the side of the highway.

Molloy was found dead in her Edmond apartment on October 5, 2016, in what was characterized by the Edmond Police Department as a "suspicious" incident. The department said its lengthy investigation resulted in several leads, however, no arrests were previously made prior to Beck's confession.

Beck reportedly told police that he and Molloy worked together and admitted to being attracted to her during his confession. The suspect said he went to Molloy's apartment intending to assault her and felt angry when she asked him to leave, at which point he killed her.