COLLIERVILLE, TN (abc24.com) - Neighbors say they seemed like a happy couple preparing for their second child. Court records paint a different picture, as residents here struggle to comprehend what led to the brutal killing of a Collierville mom.
"Never heard an unpleasant word going on over there between them, between us or anybody else," said one neighbor, who didn't want to give his name.
The Tunica County Sheriff's Office says Brandi Nicole Floyd, 25, was mutilated and killed early Thursday morning at Hollywood Casino & Hotel in Tunica, MS. The Sheriff's Office said they responded to room #139 at the hotel after receiving a disturbance call.
"It is sad, so sad, I feel bad for the little girl, her baby, her one-year-old, I just can't believe it," said Sonia Castanon, who lived next door to Floyd in Collierville.
Castanon estimated Floyd was around 6-months pregnant.
The Sheriff's Office says Nathaniel Yates III, 34, was detained at the scene after he jumped through a glass window and was tasered as investigators closed in.
Castanon says she saw Floyd a few days ago walking with her young child. She says Floyd asked her to pick up her mail while she went out of town. Castanon remembers asking Floyd about how things were going with Yates.
"She was real happy," Castanon said. "She said, 'He's working, he's pretty good, we're doing pretty good.'"
Yates remained in Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto Thursday night.
Investigators say a murder charge against him is pending.
