Daniel Callihan pleads guilty to 2024 murder, kidnapping case in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Daniel Callihan, the man accused in the murder of a Louisiana woman and her daughter, pled guilty to charges in Mississippi.
In Hinds County court, Callihan pled guilty to capital murder, two counts kidnapping and two counts sexual battery on September 29, 2025. He was sentenced to life in prison for the capital murder and sexual battery charges, as well as 30 years each on the two kidnapping charges.
On September 26, 2025, Callihan pled guilty in Tangipahoa Parish court to counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 35-year-old Callie Brunett, who was found by her father dead inside her Loranger home in 2024, and her daughter, Erin Brunett.
Tangipahoa Parish Coroner Rick Foster said Callie Brunett died of “multiple sharp force injuries.” He said there were multiple stab wounds to her head, neck, chest, abdomen and back. Foster also said Brunett had what appeared to be defensive wounds to her arms.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said Callie Brunett was found dead by her father on the floor of her bedroom inside her locked mobile home on North Cooper Road after having been reported missing by her parents 24 hours earlier.
Investigators told the Associated Press that Callihan and Callie Brunett had dated.
According to Jackson police, Erin Brunett was found deceased in a wooded area off of Boozier Drive on June 13, 2024. Her sister, Jalie Brunett, was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment and later released.
The Hinds County coroner said Erin Brunett died from asphyxiation due to suffocation.
Callihan and Victoria Cox were arrested in Jackson. Callihan was extradited back to Louisiana. During his transport, Callihan was heard on camera giving a confession.
A Hinds County Grand Jury previously indicted Cox for capital murder, kidnapping, and sexual battery in connection to the case. She pled not guilty in Hinds County Circuit Court.
Callihan is scheduled for federal sentencing on November 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk. This case remains an ongoing multi-jurisdictional prosecution, involving federal charges in Louisiana, state charges in Louisiana, and state charges in Mississippi.