Tragic Conjugal Visit Ends in Horror as Woman Strangled by Mass Murderer Husband in California Prison

A woman has tragically died after visiting her husband—a convicted mass murderer—during a conjugal visit at a California prison. Stephanie Dowells, 62, was allegedly strangled by David Brinson, 54, while they were spending time together at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione last November.

The two had reportedly been reading the Bible together during the visit, with Dowells encouraging Brinson to turn his life around. “They would read the Bible together,” said her daughter-in-law, Nataly Jiminez. “He was in school in there because she was pushing him to try to be this better person”, reported the New York Post.

But the visit ended in horror. In the early hours of the morning, Brinson called guards and claimed his wife had passed out. Despite emergency efforts by prison staff, Stephanie died an hour later. The Amador County Coroner later confirmed she had been strangled.

Brinson, who is currently serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole, was convicted in 1994 for the cold-blooded execution-style shooting of four men during a robbery in Los Angeles. Given his violent past, Stephanie’s son Armand Torres is struggling to understand how the prison allowed the visit to go ahead without any supervision. “How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it,” he said.

He added, “My mom was just left alone, and she called for help, I’m sure, and there’s nothing she could do. Given the history that this guy has, we kind of wanted to know how is it even possible for them to be unsupervised?”

Conjugal visits in California take place in apartment-style units on prison grounds and can last up to 40 hours. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, these visits are considered a “privilege” and only granted to inmates who meet strict criteria and show consistent good behavior. Brinson had clearly passed that bar—but Stephanie’s family says her death raises serious questions about the system’s oversight.

As of now, prosecutors have not yet filed charges against Brinson for Stephanie’s death, but the case remains under investigation. He’s since been moved to the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, a prison specializing in long-term medical care.

Stephanie, known to loved ones as “Stevi D”, was remembered as a strong and loving woman who held her family together. She was the main support for her two sons, her elderly parents, and her eight grandchildren. “Stevi’s sudden departure has left a void deeply felt by her family and community alike,” one tribute read. A fundraiser has been launched to help the family cover her funeral and bring her home.