A prisoner who is already serving four life sentences has now been charged with the murder of his wife, who died during an overnight visit to the prison.
David Brinson, a 54-year-old from California, is currently incarcerated for life due to his conviction in 1993 on four murder charges after he killed four men during a robbery.
Last November, Brinson’s wife, Stephanie Diane Dowells, visited him at the prison, but tragically, she did not leave alive.
Dowells, 62, worked as a hairdresser and resided in Inglewood, California, with her son and his family.
During an overnight visit with Brinson on November 13, Brinson alerted the authorities at Mule Creek State Prison just before 2:00 am to report that his wife had lost consciousness.
Despite efforts to save her, Dowells was declared dead at 2:51 am, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
An investigation determined her death to be a homicide caused by strangulation.
Brinson has now been charged in connection with her murder, according to Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe, as reported by PEOPLE.
Michael Oppenheimer, the attorney for Dowells’ family, released a statement to the publication on behalf of her relatives, stating: “While nothing can bring Stephanie back to her family, this is the first step towards getting justice for her brutal murder.
“We thank the District Attorney for doing the right thing. This and other murders should have never happened and could have been prevented by the State of California.”
Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, and his wife, Nataly Jimenez, noted that Brinson’s version of events varied in the days following her death.
In an interview with NBC News, Jimenez expressed: “He would say, you know, she passed out on the floor, or she was passed out on the bed.”
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation outlines on its website that certain inmates are allowed family visits, which occur in apartment-like settings within the prison premises.
These visits may extend from 30 to 40 hours.
Regarding the visits, a department spokesperson commented: “The family visits are a privilege, and incarcerated persons must apply and meet strict eligibility criteria to be approved. Only those who demonstrate sustained good behavior and meet specific program requirements are considered.”
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Dowells’ death marks the second visitor death at Mule Creek State Prison in 2024.
On July 1, 2024, another visitor, 47-year-old Tania Thomas, was discovered unconscious during a visit with her partner, Anthony Curry.
Anthony Curry was later charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty.
District Attorney Riebe previously stated that the charges related to Dowells’ death are based on findings from prison and autopsy reports.
Brinson is scheduled for arraignment on September 19, as he has not yet entered a plea for the murder charge.