A convicted killer already serving life behind bars is now under investigation for allegedly killing his wife during an overnight conjugal visit at prison.
David Brinson, 54, is currently serving life without the possibility of parole after gunning down four people during a 1994 robbery.
On November 13, 2024, the inmate's wife, 62-year-old Stephanie Dowells, was at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, for an overnight unsupervised visit when she tragically died.
According to News.com.au, Brinson told authorities Dowells had simply "fainted" when she was found dead. Staff attempted to perform lifesaving measures but were unable to save the woman, who was a mother of two and grandmother to six.
Although Brinson claims he had nothing to do with his wife's death, prosecutors have claimed that the evidence paints a far more chilling picture.
Dowells had been strangled, and her death has been officially ruled a homicide, KCRA reported.
It was not immediately clear how long the pair had been married. However, Dowells’ devastated family is demanding answers, especially after learning that Brinson was allowed unsupervised access to his wife despite his violent past.
“How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it,” her son, Armand Torres, told the outlet. “Given the history that this guy has, we kind of wanted to know how is it even possible for them to be unsupervised?
"My mom was just left alone, and she called for help, I’m sure, and there’s nothing she could do,” he added.
Dowells’ daughter-in-law, Nataly Jimenez, said the victim was trying to help Brinson turn his life around from behind bars. “They would read the Bible together,” she said. “He was in school in there because she was pushing him to try to be this better person.”
According to the California Department of Corrections, only inmates on death row or those convicted of sex offenses are banned from such family visits.
The department emphasized that family visits are a “privilege” and only those who meet strict eligibility standards and maintain good behavior are approved.
“Family visits are a privilege, and incarcerated persons must apply and meet strict eligibility criteria to be approved,” a spokesperson for the department said. “Only those who demonstrate sustained good behavior and meet specific program requirements are considered. These visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation.”
Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said that Brinson has not yet been charged in Dowells’ death because his office is still waiting on the full autopsy report before making a final decision, even though the victim’s death has already been ruled a homicide, per Law and Crime.
The report is expected in the coming days.
Our thoughts are with Dowells' loved ones at this time.