'HOW COULD THEY LET THIS HAPPEN?' Convicted killer accused of strangling wife dead during conjugal visit

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A “devastated” family is demanding answers after a California small business owner was allegedly strangled to death by her mass murderer husband during a conjugal visit.

Stephanie Dowells, 62, was at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, Calif., on Nov. 13, 2024, for an overnight visit with her 54-year-old husband David Brinson, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Sacramento Bee.

The inmate told authorities that his wife passed out around 2 a.m., according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Attempts to revive Dowells were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m., the statement read.

Four months later, the coroner’s office confirmed that the woman was strangled, confirming her family’s fears.

“We’re just devastated,” Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, told KRCA of his mother, who was a hairstylist and salon owner in Los Angeles.

“How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it.”

He believes Brinson should be held accountable, however, the DA’s office has not filed charges against the inmate as the investigation is ongoing, the Bee reported.

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Brinson had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to the CDCR, though the Los Angeles Times further reported that he was serving four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole after his conviction of slaying four men in a 1990 robbery.

He was originally sentenced in 1994.

According to the CDCR’s website, some inmates are eligible for “family visits” — which take place in “private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and last approximately 30 to 40 hours.”

Those on death row, with convictions for sex offences, in the “Reception Centers process,” or under disciplinary restrictions are not allowed to have family visits.

There is no mention of inmates who have been convicted of multiple murders, something Dowell’s family believes should change.

“Given the history that this guy has, we kind of wanted to know how is it even possible for them to be unsupervised?” Torres asked.

A CDCR spokesperson told KCRA in a statement: “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,” it continued. “These visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation.”

When asked about security measures, the CDCR noted its operations manual which states that inmates have to present themselves for a count at least four times per 24-hour period, and the watch commander can order unscheduled inspections.

However, the manual also notes that “every effort shall be made to ensure the privacy of the inmate and their visitor(s).”