Two women tragically lost their lives during conjugal visits to the same California prison, with each being strangled during visits with their husbands, just months apart.
The deaths occurred at Mule Creek State Prison in California, raising serious concerns about prison safety and the handling of conjugal visits.
Tania Thomas, 47, was allegedly strangled to death during a visit to her husband, Anthony Curry, last July.
Curry, who is serving a life sentence for attempted second-degree murder, has since been charged with murder in connection with Thomas’ death.
Four months later, in November, Stephanie Dowells, 62, also reportedly died from strangulation during a conjugal visit with her husband, David Brinson, 54.
Brinson, a convicted murderer, is serving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for a 1990s robbery spree that resulted in the deaths of four men.
The deaths were ruled homicides, but investigations are ongoing. The Amador County Coroner’s Office confirmed that they are still working to determine the cause of Dowells’ death.
Both families are seeking justice and accountability, with Thomas’ cousin, Jeanine Rojo, expressing her outrage that two homicides could occur under similar circumstances at the same prison.
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Jeanine Rojo told NBC, “Something needs to be done, and it should have been done two homicides ago.
I’m sick to my stomach that this happened to Tania, but then it happened again just months after her to Stephanie… it should have been prevented.”
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) allows family visits, including conjugal visits, for incarcerated individuals who meet certain behavior and program requirements.
These visits typically take place in apartment-like settings on prison grounds and can last up to 40 hours.
Both families are calling for a reevaluation of the eligibility requirements for conjugal visits, particularly for inmates convicted of violent crimes.
Dowells’ son, Armand Torres, expressed concern that the prison system’s current supervision is insufficient to prevent further tragedies.
He stated, “I want them to take some accountability for this, the prison… What’s stopping the next person from killing their wife or son or anybody?”
