3 arrested in investigation into missing Vermont woman Kayla Wright found shot in head inside large toolbox

Wright, last seen alive on February 2, met a tragic end when her remains were found on February 6 in Troy, Vermont
UPDATED FEB 13, 2024
Kayla Wright was found shot dead in a container (Vermont State Police Department)
Kayla Wright was found shot dead in a container (Vermont State Police Department)

TROY, VERMONT: Kayla Wright, a 29-year-old Vermont woman who went missing and was later found shot in the head inside a large container, has led to the arrest of three individuals in connection with her murder.

Wright, last seen alive on February 2, met a tragic end when her remains were found on February 6 in Troy, Vermont.

Following a complex investigation involving federal law enforcement, the lifeless body of the 29-year-old was found along the Missisquoi River in the Big Falls area of Missisquoi State Park, leading to the apprehension of the suspects.

Charging documents from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont revealed that three individuals, Jakiy Tramaine Corey Keith, Bryanna Rooney, and Thomas Rooney, were implicated in a drug distribution conspiracy.

What was the motive behind the callous shooting?

Wright's association with individuals involved in the narcotics conspiracy became evident, prompting her family to report her missing on February 3.

The affidavit detailed her connection to a person identified as "AB" or "Anthony Borrow," listed in court records as Jakiy.

Law enforcement's emergency ping on Wright's cellphone directed them to the address where the Rooneys resided. Additionally, Bryanna, when confronted by authorities, was found with the phone in the house.

The investigation took a darker turn when one of Wright's family members received a Facebook message from Jakiy, indicating that she had been killed.

“According to the family member, ‘Borrow’ indicated a kid named ‘Kash KD’ on Facebook had shot Kayla and disposed of her body by concealing it in a toolbox and tossing it into Big Falls the previous night,” the affidavit stated.

The chilling narrative provided by Jakiy to law enforcement described an argument over fake cash, resulting in Kayla being shot three times with a 9-millimeter handgun before her body was disposed of in a toolbox.

Authorities suspect homicidal conspiracy

A friend from Montana, Sara Davis, fondly remembered Wright as a devoted family person who passed away soon. “That’s the thing, a lot of people will try to say certain things, you know, ‘she had a problem,’ and yes, she had her problems,” said the grieving friend.

“But I don’t want those problems to overshadow her. I understand there’s a bigger picture going on, but she still needs to be remembered too,” as per Law&Crime

While the three suspects face charges related to the drug distribution conspiracy, no charges have been filed directly related to Wright's murder.

However, detention memos indicate that authorities suspect the conspiracy involved a murder and the disposition of the victim.

“The conspiracy appears to have involved a murder and the disposition of the victim, and the case is among the most serious charged in this district.”

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