(NewsNation) — The family of a woman who was killed during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison in California wants justice.
Stephanie Dowells, 62, died in November during a conjugal visit with her husband, convicted murderer David Brinson, who is serving four consecutive life sentences for a quadruple killing in 1990.
Dowells was the second person in a year to die at the prison during a conjugal visit.
Brinson reportedly told officers around 2 a.m. the morning of Dowells’ visit that she had passed out. She was later declared dead.
What are conjugal visits?
A conjugal visit is a scheduled visit in which an inmate is allowed to spend several hours or days in private with a partner.
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, conjugal visits — also known as “family visits” — are held in apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and can last 30 to 40 hours. The visits are restricted to immediate family members only.
Inmates on death row, those with convictions for sex offenses and those with disciplinary restrictions are not allowed family visits.
Private autopsy of Stephanie Dowells
Nataly Jimenez, a relative of Dowells, said the family was told she died of natural causes. Four months later, an Amador County coroner concluded she had been strangled to death.
Jimenez said a private autopsy took place shortly after Dowells’ death after a forensic analyst said there was evidence of abuse. Jimenez said the coroner’s report came after the private autopsy was underway.
“I honestly feel like they were trying to sweep it under,” Jimenez said Monday on “Banfield.”
Stephanie Dowells not the only woman to die during conjugal visit
Dowells was not the only woman killed at Mule Creek State Prison during a family visit. Tania Thomas died July 1, 2024, and was allegedly killed by her partner, convicted carjacker Anthony Curry.
Curry’s case went to the district attorney’s office in December.
Lenard Vare, a former prison warden, called the conjugal visit deaths “troubling” and said Brinson’s situation was uncommon since he was reported to be suicidal.
“That should have been a big red flag,” Vare said.
Charges have not been filed against Brinson in Dowells’ death.