Woman Reportedly Killed During Conjugal Visit with Husband Serving Life in Prison — Now Her Family Is Looking for Answers

A California small business owner is being remembered by family as the “most giving, kindhearted person” after she was allegedly killed by her husband — who is serving life in prison — during a conjugal visit in November 2024.

The Amador County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the Los Angeles Times this week that David Brinson, 54, is suspected of killing his wife Stephanie Brinson, 62, at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, Calif. David initially contacted authorities on Nov. 13 and told them his wife passed out around 2 a.m., according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The statement said the victim was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m. following attempts to revive her.

Sheriff Gary Redman told The Sacramento Bee that Stephanie’s cause of death was determined to be strangulation.

Her husband had been serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, the CDCR told the Bee. The Times reported that David was serving four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. According to the Times, he was convicted of killing four men during a 1990 robbery and is now being held at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, over 30 years after being sentenced in 1994.

Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe told both the Bee and the Times that the alleged November crime took place at the prison during a conjugal visit. He added that David is a suspect and that there are no other suspects in the investigation.

The DA’s office has not filed charges against David, as Riebe told the Times that he had yet to receive reports from Mule Creek as of Wednesday, March 19.

The Amador County District Attorney’s Office and the ACSO did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for more information on Friday, March 21.

According to the CDCR’s website, some inmates are eligible for “family visits” — which it defines as visits that “occur in private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and last approximately 30 to 40 hours.” Those on death row, with convictions for sex offenses, in the “Reception Centers process,” or under disciplinary restrictions are not allowed to have family visits.

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In a statement to PEOPLE, the CDCR said: “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. These visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation.”

Stephanie’s family has since opened up to NBC affiliate KCRA, telling the outlet that Stevi — as close friends knew her — was a hairstylist and a small business owner. Her mother Oveta Wilson called her “the glue that held the family together,” and her son Armand Torres added that the family was “devastated” by the loss. The outlet identified her as Stephanie Dowells, while the Bee identified her as Stephanie Diane Brinson.

“How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it,” Torres said, following the news that the Amador County Coroner reportedly determined she was strangled.

Daughter-in-law Nataly Jimenez added that Stephanie and her husband would “read the Bible together,” adding that he was in school while in prison since she was “pushing him to try to be this better person.”

“My mom was just left alone, and she called for help, I’m sure, and there’s nothing she could do,” Torres said.

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

The death remains “under investigation” as of this week, the CDCR said in its statement.