A 6-year-old girl in Louisiana reportedly died at the hands of her father's live-in girlfriend, who was once a loved and trusted confidant. Bunnak "Hannah" Landon, 43, allegedly strangled Bella Fontenelle, and put her body in a 10-gallon bucket of bleach. Doorbell camera footage reportedly caught the woman in a truly heinous act that shook their community.
Bella's body was discovered on the lawn of her mother's home in Harahan on April 26. Reports allege there was bad blood between Landon and the child's mother, Jennifer Zeledon, but what led the once seemingly loving woman to kill Bella?
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Bella's father reported her missing.
CBS News reported that Bella's father, Michael Fontenelle, contacted police on April 26, when he realized his daughter was missing. He and Landon lived just two blocks from Zeledon's home. Police began to search the area and found Bella's body in a 10-gallon bleach bucket on her mother's front lawn.
According to WWL-TV, Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich conducted an autopsy and concluded that Bella died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.
"I want to add that Bella's body was intact and contrary to public speculation, there was no dismemberment of any kind," Cvitanovich said. "This is not something we're happy to do. It's something that's hard to see and it's even more hard to unsee."
Video surveillance appears to show Landon with a wagon late on April 25.
A neighbor's doorbell camera captured images of a woman, who authorities said was Landon, pulling the bucket down the street toward Zeledon's home at around 9:35 p.m.
"We believe Bella was killed at the father's house and then transported over to the mother's house," Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said in a press briefing. Police questioned both of Bella's parents, but they were not considered suspects.
Landon showed up at the police station in the middle of the night.
According to CBS News, Landon arrived at police headquarters just after midnight on April 26. The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported the accused killer was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, but authorities did not disclose why. She was reportedly on suicide watch at Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna shortly after her arrest.
Bella's family says there was a history of trouble with Landon, and that she was the aggressor.
Landon and Zeledon got into multiple physical altercations, and at one point, Michael Fontenelle had to step in, Fox 8 reported. According to court documents obtained by the news station, a temporary restraining order was filed in 2021.
Bianca Cano, Bella's aunt, wrote on Facebook that contrary to news reports, Landon was the aggressor, and her sister was innocent.
The angry aunt wrote: "This is what actually transpired that led Bunnak Landon to file the false allegations against my sisters. If you would do your investigations competently, Fox News, then you can see that she had a fight with Evlyn which is the aunt of Bella. You can also see how manipulative and uncooperative she is in the section that is highlighted. Also, again the affidavit filed by Bunnak Landon, that Fox News posted, requesting a restraining order against my sisters was dissolved by Judge Faulkner of the 24th Judicial District Court, stating and quoted 'The court's dissolving all, any and all orders relative to these matters' because of all the lies that transpired in that hearing."
She added, "Fox News should pull the hearing documents held on August 5, 2021 so they can see for themselves the decitfullness of Bunnak Landon and how she, as well as FoxNews, tried to spin the narrative. Please don't fall for clickbait."
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Bella's family organized a GoFundMe that has raised thousands of dollars.
Shortly after Bella died, Cano opened a GoFundMe for the family, and contributions totaled more than $41,000.
"Where do I start … my beautiful Bella … the world is so unjust. You were given to us for 6 amazing years. You were beyond perfection. Your beautiful little voice, your funny personality, the way you danced, the way you were so delicate and fragile, your smile, your laugh, the way expressed yourself. I can go on and on about how amazing this little soul was," Cano wrote.
Donors shared love with the family.
"This story has impacted me," one donor wrote. "Sweet Bella did not deserve this. My heart goes out to her family during this extremely difficult time. May justice also be served in this case, this very sickening case. Rest in heaven, Bella."
Another donor commented: "Praying for this sweet family and horrific tragedy.May God give them peace and may his unfailing love shine through others for this family to feel his abundant love during this difficult time."
"There are no words I can say to help, but please know this community will continue to pray, envelop you with virtual hugs and continue to wish to God there was more that we could do for you," wrote someone else. "The people of Harahan and River Ridge will always be here if you need us."
According to multiple sources, Landon is in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center without bond and has been charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. She is scheduled to appear in court in July.
