Jackson, Mississippi Police Chief Joseph Wade said he’s still waiting on the medical examiner to confirm the cause of death of Erin Brunett of Loranger. He says it looks like she was suffocated last week.
“I would assume, and this is clearly an assumption, that she possibly died from asphyxiation or suffocation, but we will have to wait on the medical examiner before we release that information.”
The four-year old was found dead last Thursday in Jackson after a manhunt for her mother's ex-boyfriend.
When asked if Erin's sister, six-year-old Jalie received any injuries; Wade said she’s still recovering,
“I do not want to deep dive into her situation right now because the grandparents, from my understanding, were in route or have arrived here in Jackson to see about her or take custody of her, but we do know, so sadly, that the four-year-old did not survive her injuries.”
Wade said Daniel Callihan has confessed, and Victoria Cox has been implicated in the crimes. He said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the heinous murders of Callie Brunett in Loranger or her daughter in Mississippi.
Cox has been described as Callihan's current girlfriend.
Both Callihan and Cox have been charged with Erin’s murder along with sexual battery. In addition to charges in Mississippi, the two face charges in Tangipahoa Parish and Wade said they anticipate federal charges will be issued in the next few days. He said it’s up to prosecutors as to how they will proceed with the case.
“But I think if there’s a case that would definitely rise to the level of the death penalty, this should be it.”
Wade said they have thoroughly processed the crime scene and they have more questions than answers. He said they want to know why Callihan and Cox brought the two girls to Mississippi.
"They are bad people," the chief said.
