Inmate accused of strangling wife during conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison

David Brinson, a 54-year-old inmate serving four life sentences for a 1990 quadruple homicide, is now accused of killing his wife, Stephanie Brinson, during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California. On November 13, Brinson called prison officers around 2 a.m., claiming his wife had passed out. Despite resuscitation attempts, she was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m. Authorities have since confirmed she was strangled.

The Amador County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office have launched a homicide investigation. While David Brinson has not been officially charged, authorities have confirmed that his wife’s death was ruled a homicide. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has yet to release full details but stated that family visits are a privilege granted under strict eligibility criteria.

Stephanie Brinson, known as "Stevi" to her loved ones, was a hairstylist, small business owner, mother of two, and grandmother of six. Her family is devastated and seeking answers about how such an incident could happen in a secure facility. Her son, Armand Torres, expressed frustration, questioning why an inmate with Brinson’s violent past was granted unsupervised visits.

California’s family visitation program is designed to support rehabilitation, but this case raises concerns over security risks. Critics argue that the system may need stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents. Stephanie Brinson’s family is calling for changes in prison policies to ensure the safety of visitors, especially when dealing with high-risk inmates.