California – Family for a California woman are searching for answers, demanding to know how their mother could be left alone with a known vioIent killer after the woman was murdered by the 54-year-old man last year. The 54-year-old man, D. Brison, who is serving several consecutive Iife sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders of four men during a robbery, is facing new charges after he reportedly killed his spouse during an unsupervised conjugal visit last year. Authorities in California claim the lnmate strangIed his wife, 62-year-old Stephany, to death.
On the night of November 13, 2024, the defendant and the victim were in the prison’s family visit unit, a facility resembling an apartment, designed to allow inmates to spend extended time with their families. Around 2 a.m., the 54-year-old husband contacted prison officers, reporting that his wife had passed out. Responding staff attempted life-saving measures, but the woman was pronounced dead at approximately 2:51 a.m.
The Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into the woman’s death. An autopsy conducted by the coroner determined that the cause of death was strangulation, ruling it a homicide. The lnmate (SEE PHOTO) emerged as the prime suspect in the case. As of March 2025, the 54-year-old husband has not been formally charged, with prosecutors awaiting the completion of the investigation before proceeding.
The victim’s family has been vocal in seeking accountability and answers regarding the circumstances that led to her death. Her son, A. Tores, expressed disbelief and frustration, questioning how such an incident could occur, especially given the defendant’s violent history. He stated, “How could they just let this happen? I just don’t get it.” The family is particularly concerned about the policies that allowed a convicted mass murderer, to have unsupervised conjugal visits. They are advocating for a thorough review of these policies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In California, conjugal visits, officially termed “family visits,” are privileges granted to inmates who demonstrate sustained good behavior and meet specific eligibility criteria. These visits occur in private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and can last up to 40 hours. The intent is to support positive family connections and aid in the rehabilitation process. However, inmates on death row or those convicted of sex offenses are typically excluded from such privileges. Despite his conviction for multiple murders, he was granted these visits, raising concerns about the adequacy of the eligibility criteria and the supervision during such visits.
As of now, the investigation into the woman’s death is ongoing. The District Attorney’s Office is awaiting the final reports from the investigation to make a charging decision. In the meantime, the 54-year-old lnmate remains incarcerated at the California Health Care Facility. The case has sparked discussions about prison policies related to conjugal visits, especially concerning inmates with violent histories, prompting calls for policy reviews to ensure the safety of visitors.