Actress Jonshel Alexander best known for her role in the Academy Award-nominated movie “Beasts of the Southern Wild” was shot to death on Saturday night. The police have suspected that a maroon pickup truck was used by the killer.
Alexander was found in a car with an unidentified man who was also shot. They were found in the vehicle on the 1500 block of North Claiborne Avenue at about 9 pm. Alexander was found dead by the time the paramedics arrived while the man drove himself to the hospital.
Who was Jonshel Alexander?
Late Jonshel Alexander was a former child actor, who acted in the movie “Beasts of the Southern Wild” alongside Quvenzhané Wallis. Alexander played the role of Joy Strong and was picked from a crowd of almost 4000 people. The movie was directed by Benh Zeitlin who also seemed to have fallen in love with Alexander’s acting skills.
Alexander’s mother, Shelly Alexander stated that “She was like, ‘I’m going to be in this movie,'” her mother remembered, per The Times-Picayune. “They fell in love with Jonshel.”
She also added “She brought life to everything. Jonshel was feisty, jazzy, spoiled. It was her way or no way. Jonshel was like, ‘It’s going to be me.’ “
Benh Zeitlin, the director of “Beasts of the Southern movie” also described Alexander as an “absolute one-of-a-kind, unforgettable, force-of-nature human being,” adding: “She was a bright burning light.”
Jonshel Alexander’s family and friends loved her and were deeply devastated by the shooting.
About The Movie “Beasts Of The Southern Wild”
“Beasts of the southern wild” was a movie based on a storm-threatened bayou community set outside the levee system and the children who inhabit it. The movie was shot in Louisiana in 2012 and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It was also nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
According to Benh Ze itlin
“We incorporated a part into the film that was very much inspired by her,” Zeitlin stated “A lot of the lines were written by her, and so much of the character grew out of who Jonshel was. Her character in the film is named Joy Strong, which always seemed like a perfect description of Jonshel.
Zeitlin also connected to Alexander’s family after the incident. He also went on to tell Nola.com that he was completely devastated by her death.
The actor, Jonshel Alexander was only 22 and even had a 1-year-old daughter. We pray she gets justice for her death.
Jonshel Alexander’ Net Worth
Jonshel Alexander’s estimated net worth is between $200k to $300k USD.