Stephanie Dowells, 62, described as the “cornerstone of her family and community,” was strangled to death while visiting her husband inside a California prison.
Family Seeks Justice After Tragic Prison Visit
Dowells had traveled to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, for an overnight, unsupervised visit with her husband, David Brinson, 54, on November 13. Four months later, the Amador County Coroner confirmed she had been strangled, according to KCRA 3 Investigations.
Brinson, a convicted mass murderer serving four consecutive life sentences plus 20 years without parole, has not yet been charged. Prosecutors are awaiting the completion of the police investigation before filing charges.
Her grieving family is now questioning how Brinson, given his violent past, was allowed unsupervised visits.
“How Could This Happen?”
“How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it,” Dowells’s son, Armand Torres, told the news outlet. “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?”
The Independent has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the Amador County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
A Devastating Discovery
Around 2 a.m. that night, Brinson called prison staff, reporting that his wife had passed out. When officers arrived, they found Dowells unresponsive. She was pronounced dead an hour later.
Her mother, Oveta Wilson, described her as “the most giving, kindhearted person” who was always helping others.
Dowells, a mother of two and grandmother, was a hairstylist who owned her own business in Los Angeles. A GoFundMe page created in her memory called her “a beacon of strength and love.”
“Her salon was more than just a place for beauty services; it was a space where community members felt heard and supported,” the page states.
Prison Policies Under Scrutiny
The CDCR issued a statement to KCRA, explaining that only inmates who meet “strict eligibility criteria” and demonstrate “sustained good behavior” can receive conjugal visits.
“These visits are designed to support positive family connections and successful rehabilitation,” the statement read.
Dowells’s family, however, remains heartbroken and determined to understand how such a tragedy was allowed to happen.
