Mother-of-3 Agrees to Plea Deal After Murdering Child, Forcing Sister to Live With Body in Pit
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In a shocking turn of events, Victoria Cox, a 34-year-old mother of three, agreed to a plea deal in a handwritten note sent to the judge just days after a trial date was set for her criminal charges. Cox faced a range of serious charges, including capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery, for her involvement in a horrific crime that left a community reeling with disbelief.
The charges against Cox stemmed from her role in aiding her childhood friend, Daniel Callihan, who admitted to the murder of 35-year-old Callie Brunett in Louisiana on the fateful night of June 11, 2024. After the murder, Callihan kidnapped Brunett’s two daughters, aged four and six at the time.
The following day, Callihan drove to Cox’s residence in Louisiana and then transported her and the two kidnapped girls over state lines to McComb, Mississippi. The court documents obtained by PEOPLE revealed chilling details of the events that unfolded, with Callihan confessing to engaging in sexual assault with the 6-year-old victim and murdering her 4-year-old sister, while Cox stood by and did nothing to intervene.
Tragically, it took two days before Brunett’s body was discovered, prompting a search for her missing daughters. Authorities found the surviving daughter confined in a pit with her deceased sister’s body nearby. The autopsy on Brunett revealed the brutal nature of her death, with multiple stab wounds and sharp force injuries across her body.
Acknowledging the severity of the case, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade described the scene as “sickening,” noting the presence of cages and enclosures that suggested the possibility of human trafficking. Callihan, who had earlier received three life sentences in federal court, cooperated with authorities, leading to Cox’s agreement to provide evidence and testify against him.
Despite facing the death penalty in her local trial, Cox chose to plead guilty, accepting a 40-year prison sentence for the murder charge and 25 years for kidnapping. The presiding judge, Winston Kidd, expressed incredulity at Cox’s actions, questioning how a mother of children aged nine, eight, and six could be involved in such heinous acts.
As part of the plea deal, Cox’s sentences will run concurrently, sparing her from facing additional years for kidnapping. The case serves as a grim reminder of the horrors that can unfold behind closed doors, leaving a community grappling with the aftermath of a senseless tragedy.
The authorities involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case have been commended for their swift actions and dedication to ensuring justice for the victims. The impact of this harrowing incident will continue to reverberate through the lives of all those affected, underscoring the importance of vigilance and prompt intervention in cases of potential harm to the vulnerable.
The resolution of this case serves as a somber reminder of the dark depths of human behaviour and the enduring need for diligence in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society. May the victims find solace in the pursuit of justice, and may their tragic ordeal serve as a call to action for communities to unite against such atrocities.