Cypress Noonan: The Tragic Story Of A Young Life Cut Short

Rene Weber 02 Aug 2025

It's a moment of pure happiness when a new baby comes into the world, a tiny bundle of dreams for a family. On September 19, 2003, in the pleasant city of Beaufort, South Carolina, Brandie King and Gregory Noonan welcomed their little girl, giving her the rather unique and pretty name, Cypress Noonan. This was a time for smiles, a fresh start, and the promise of a bright future stretching out before them. A child’s birth, you know, is that, a really special occasion, marking the beginning of a life, full of possibilities and quiet hopes.

Sadly, this story, too it's almost, takes a very different turn, one filled with profound sadness and questions that still resonate. Just weeks after she was found, at the tender age of 16, Cypress Noonan's life ended far too soon. She was discovered shot in a hotel room in Ridgeland, South Carolina, a place that should have been safe, a temporary stop, perhaps. The suddenness of it all, and the way her life was taken, left many people in disbelief and searching for answers, a truly heartbreaking situation.

The circumstances around her passing remained a mystery for a while, casting a very long shadow over her community. However, the legal system eventually brought some clarity to the situation, with an arrest and a trial working to uncover what happened that fateful day. This case, in a way, shows how investigations slowly piece together events, bringing facts to light even in the darkest moments. It’s a somber tale, yet one where justice, in some respects, worked to find its way.

A Life Remembered: Who Was Cypress Noonan?
- Personal Details: A Brief Look
The Unfolding Tragedy: What Happened?
- The Discovery in Ridgeland
- The Investigation Takes Shape
Seeking Justice: The Trial and Verdict
- The Accused: Brian Jamal Redding
- The Jury's Decision
Questions That Linger: People Also Ask
Keeping Her Memory Alive

A Life Remembered: Who Was Cypress Noonan?

Cypress Noonan was a young person, just 16 years old, when her life was suddenly cut short. Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, she grew up in the area, a part of the local community. Her parents, Brandie King and Gregory Noonan, welcomed her into the world with joy, looking forward to all the moments they would share. She was, quite simply, a teenager with a future ahead of her, like any other young person her age, with dreams and experiences waiting to unfold. This is that, a very important detail, to remember her as a person.

Her story is one that reminds us of the fragility of life, and the deep impact a loss like this has on families and communities. While the details of her daily life aren't widely known, her name became associated with a very serious and sad event. It's important to remember her as more than just a name in a news report, but as a young woman whose life was taken far too soon. We, as people, often try to understand the lives behind the headlines, and Cypress was a person, a daughter, a friend, too, in her own right.

Personal Details: A Brief Look

Name	Cypress Noonan
Born	September 19, 2003
Birthplace	Beaufort, South Carolina
Parents	Brandie King, Gregory Noonan
Age at Death	16 years old
Location of Death	Jasper County motel room, Ridgeland, South Carolina

The Unfolding Tragedy: What Happened?

The morning of Sunday, over Labor Day weekend, brought a terrible discovery in Ridgeland, South Carolina. Around 6 a.m., inside a motel room, Cypress Noonan, then 16 years old, was shot. This event, you know, sent shockwaves through the quiet community, leaving many people stunned and deeply concerned. The initial reports were scarce, just the bare facts of a young person found gravely hurt, and that, is that, a very unsettling piece of news for anyone to hear.

For weeks after this awful event, the circumstances around Cypress Noonan's passing remained shrouded in mystery. The lack of immediate answers, apparently, only added to the pain and confusion felt by her loved ones and the wider public. People wanted to know what happened, who was involved, and why such a young life was taken in such a sudden and violent way. It’s a situation where the truth feels just a little out of reach, and that can be very frustrating for those seeking clarity.

The Discovery in Ridgeland

The motel room in Jasper County became the scene of a very serious investigation. The call to 911 came from Brian Jamal Redding, who was Cypress Noonan's boyfriend. He reported finding her, which naturally made him a central figure in the immediate aftermath. The initial moments after such a discovery are often chaotic, full of fear and urgency, and the authorities had to piece together the first bits of information from what was shared at the scene. This, in some respects, is where the whole process of finding answers begins.

The details that slowly came out were grim. Cypress Noonan had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. This specific piece of information, you know, painted a very clear picture of the violence involved. The local authorities, along with state investigators, began the painstaking work of collecting evidence, talking to people, and trying to understand the sequence of events that led to this awful outcome. Every little bit of information, like your, a small piece of a puzzle, was important.

The Investigation Takes Shape

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, often called SLED, took charge of the investigation. They worked to gather facts, examine the scene, and follow every lead. According to arrest warrants issued on a Tuesday, SLED determined that Redding had shot Noonan with a SCCY 9mm firearm. This was a very significant development, as it moved the case from a mystery to a focused investigation with a clear suspect. The warrants, you know, lay out the initial findings that pointed to a specific person.

The process of an investigation like this is often long and very detailed. Investigators look at everything, from forensic evidence to witness statements, trying to build a complete picture of what occurred. The charging of Brian Redding with murder, after he was the one who called for help, added another layer of complexity and sadness to the whole situation. It’s a difficult thing for anyone to process, when the person reporting a tragedy is then accused of causing it, and that, is that, a truly unsettling turn of events for all involved.

Seeking Justice: The Trial and Verdict

After the investigation, the case against Brian Jamal Redding moved forward to the courts. This is where the evidence collected by law enforcement is presented to a jury, and legal arguments are made. The purpose of a trial, you know, is to determine guilt or innocence based on the facts and the law. For the family of Cypress Noonan, this period would have been incredibly difficult, waiting for answers and for some form of accountability for their loss. It’s a very trying time, to say the least.

The trial took place in Jasper County, bringing the details of Cypress Noonan's death into the public eye once more. The prosecution presented their case, laying out the evidence that pointed to Brian Redding's involvement. Defense attorneys, on the other hand, would have worked to challenge the prosecution's claims and present their client's side of the story. This is how the legal system works, with both sides presenting their arguments so that a jury can make a decision, and that, is that, a fundamental part of our justice process.

The Accused: Brian Jamal Redding

Brian Jamal Redding, who was 34 years old at the time, was the central figure in the trial. He was the boyfriend of Cypress Noonan and the person who made the 911 call after she was shot. The charges against him were serious: murder, possession of a firearm by a violent felon, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. These charges, you know, reflect the gravity of the accusations and the potential legal consequences he faced. It's a very serious matter, dealing with such profound accusations.

The fact that he was already considered a "violent felon" for previous offenses, apparently, added another layer to the case. This meant he was not legally allowed to have a firearm, which was a separate charge he faced. His actions on that Sunday morning, and the events leading up to Cypress Noonan's death, were the focus of intense scrutiny during the trial. It's a situation where every detail matters, and the past actions of a person can also play a role in legal proceedings, in a way.

The Jury's Decision

After hearing all the evidence and arguments, a jury in Jasper County reached a verdict. Brian Jamal Redding was found guilty on all counts. This included the charge of murder, which is the most serious, as well as the charges related to possessing a firearm as a violent felon and having a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The jury's decision, you know, brought a legal conclusion to a very painful chapter for Cypress Noonan's family. It's a moment of truth, so to speak, in the courtroom.

The guilty verdict meant that the jury believed, based on the evidence presented, that Redding was responsible for Cypress Noonan's death. For the family, this outcome could bring a sense of closure, or at least a step towards it, knowing that the person deemed responsible was held accountable. It's a very important moment in any criminal case, when the legal process reaches its final determination of guilt or innocence, and that, is that, a significant event for everyone involved. Learn more about criminal justice processes on a related site.

Questions That Linger: People Also Ask

When a tragic event like this occurs, people naturally have many questions. The public often seeks clarity and understanding about what happened, who was involved, and what the outcome was. Here are some common questions people might ask about Cypress Noonan's case, drawing from the details of her story:

What exactly happened to Cypress Noonan?
Cypress Noonan, at 16 years old, was found shot in the head inside a motel room in Ridgeland, South Carolina, on a Sunday morning over Labor Day weekend. Her boyfriend, Brian Jamal Redding, called 911 saying he found her. Investigators later determined Redding shot her with a SCCY 9mm firearm.

Who was found responsible for Cypress Noonan's death?
Brian Jamal Redding, Cypress Noonan's boyfriend, was charged with her murder. A Jasper County jury found him guilty of murder, as well as possession of a firearm by a violent felon and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Where did the shooting of Cypress Noonan take place?
The shooting happened inside a motel room in Jasper County, specifically in Ridgeland, South Carolina. This location became the center of the investigation into her death.

Keeping Her Memory Alive

The story of Cypress Noonan is a very sad reminder of the impact of violence, especially on young lives. Her passing at such a young age, you know, left a void that can never truly be filled for her family and friends. While the legal process brought a verdict, the pain of loss continues for those who cared for her. It's important for communities to remember these stories, to understand the human cost of such events, and to support those who are grieving.

Remembering Cypress Noonan means acknowledging her life, however short it was, and the circumstances that led to its end. Her story, in some respects, serves as a very somber lesson about the consequences of actions and the importance of justice. It’s a narrative that, sadly, repeats itself in various forms across communities, highlighting the need for vigilance and care. You can learn more about supporting victims of violent crime on our site, and find resources by linking to this page here.

For those who followed the case, or for anyone learning about it for the first time, Cypress Noonan's story is a profound one. It highlights the work of law enforcement, the intricacies of the legal system, and the enduring search for truth and accountability. Her memory, perhaps, can serve as a quiet call for greater understanding and peace within our communities. We, as a society, often reflect on these events to learn and to grow, and that, is that, a very human response to tragedy.

1711 Cypress Way, Westlake - George & Noonan Real Estate Group

Michael Noonan

Waste Management Solutions | C.L. Noonan

NextAngle

Cypress Noonan: The Tragic Story Of A Young Life Cut Short

Table of Contents