OK man gets life in prison for confessing to 2016 murder of Edmond teenager
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – An Oklahoma man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Wednesday for the 2016 Edmond murder of Jennifer Kyli Molloy.
Molloy, 19, was found murdered in her apartment in October of 2016. Edmond police exhausted all possible leads and suspects, but the case eventually went cold.
In May of 2024, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper responded to a call of a man on the side of I-40 in Oklahoma City. During a conversation with the trooper, authorities said Joseph Tyler Beck confessed to killing Molloy; and was arrested. Beck admitted that he went over to Molloy's apartment in 2016, as a then-family friend, before attempting to have sex with her; and then brutally killing her when she denied his advances. Prosecutors say the best phrase to sum up the case is "if I can't have you, no one can," saying Beck admitted to being obsessed with Molloy.
News 4 spoke with Molloy’s family after the 2024 arrest who described her as the most happiest person they had ever met. They said she was full of joy and always carried a smile.
“I’ve not really been able to grieve,” said Johnny Molloy, Kyli's father, at the time. “I’ve been mad, I’ve been upset and depressed and of course I miss my daughter. I miss her, she was my smiley girl.”
The same month of the same year, Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna's office charged Beck with First Degree Murder. Before the case went to trial, in June of 2025, Beck entered a blind plea of guilty.
A sentencing hearing was held September 17. It included testimony from the Edmond police detective initially assigned to Kyli Molloy's case, victim impact statements from Molloy's family, comments from prosecutors and Beck's defense attorney.
Johnny Molloy spoke first saying that his daughter was the "light of his life" and "the grief I feel will never subside."
"I read her father's beforehand, but even hearing it today, I literally just broke down," said Ciara Coffer, Kyli's aunt. "I mean, because like I said, like he said, this family has been changed forever; and we miss her every single day."
Kyli's sister also spoke saying that she and her sister "were supposed to grow old together...I'm haunted...What you did, did not just end a life it devastated thousands."
Several minutes of Beck's nearly three-hour long confession were played in court as well, with Beck appearing to show no visible signs of discomfort or remorse. When asked by the judge if Beck had anything he wanted to say, Beck said no and his attorney noted a written statement had been submitted to the court. That written statement was not read aloud.
Beck's attorney did ask the judge in the case for a review in one year, citing Beck's mental illness, the trauma caused by his father's death in 2013, his lack of a criminal history outside of the case and his willingness to confess eventually.
"I just think he, it, was diabolical," said Coffer. "He just is not a good person at all. I felt no remorse from him whatsoever."
News 4 employees confronted Beck outside of the courtroom while he was led to an elevator in chains. A News 4 employee asked Beck if he was sorry about what he did and Beck said "yeah." When asked if he had anything else he wanted to say to Kyli Molloy's family Beck did not respond.
"I believe she got justice today," said Coffer. "Finally, it's been 9 years almost."
Coffer said that the family is hopeful after the sentencing they can start moving forward and living life because they say it's what Kyli would have wanted them to do.
"Often, justice takes time, but today we honor Kyli's memory and recognize the profound loss felt by those who loved her," said District Attorney Vicki Behenna in a statement. "This case is a powerful reminder of the tireless work of law enforcement and prosecutors who never give up seeking justice for victims."