A 62-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her husband during a conjugal visit at a California prison—despite the fact that he was already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Stephanie Brinson, also known as Stephanie Dowells, was visiting her husband, 54-year-old David Brinson, for an overnight, unsupervised visit at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, on November 13, 2024.
Around 2 a.m., Brinson alerted prison officers that his wife had passed out inside the apartment-like facility where they were staying. Less than an hour later, at 2:51 a.m., she was pronounced dead.
State prison officials have not released further details about the circumstances of her death, but an investigation is ongoing.
While the Amador County Coroner’s Office has now confirmed that Stephanie died from strangulation, and officials suspect her husband, they have yet to charge Brinson for the murder. The Amador County District Attorney’s Office said that they are waiting for police to finalize their investigation before charging David Brinson.
The family of Stephanie, who was affectionately referred to as Stevi by family and friends, wants answers as to how this could have happened. Stephanie was a small business owner and hairstylist who was also a mother of two and a grandmother. Her son, Armand Torres, is seeking answers about that night, not just about what happened to his mother but how Brinson was even allowed unsupervised visits.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation‘s website, “Some incarcerated people are eligible for “family visits.” Family visits occur in private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and last approximately 30 to 40 hours. The following individuals are excluded from family visits: Incarcerated persons on Death Row, any incarcerated person with convictions for sex offenses, anyone in the Reception Centers process, or anyone under disciplinary restrictions.”
