Couple found guilty of murdering two of their children as prosecutors describe the 2020 California case, as extreme cruelty that devastated the family.
Californian couple has been convicted of murdering two of their young children in a case that prosecutors say exposed an alarming pattern of abuse and left an entire community shaken. A Los Angeles County jury found Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. and Natalie Sumiko Brothwell guilty of killing their 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son at their Lancaster home in November 2020.
Prosecutors said the couple’s two youngest sons, then aged eight and nine, were forced to witness the aftermath of the killings and were kept isolated in their bedrooms for several days without adequate food or water. The surviving children were eventually rescued by authorities and placed under protective care.
The case came to light after firefighters responded to a reported gas leak at the family’s home. Neighbors had alerted authorities after noticing a strong odor and becoming concerned about the family’s wellbeing. When emergency crews entered the residence, they discovered the two deceased children and contacted law enforcement immediately.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the case as one of the most disturbing his office has handled in recent years. He said the jury’s verdict “delivers justice for these victims and sends a powerful message that such acts of cruelty will be met with full accountability under the law.”
Read Also: Musk Hits Back After Billie Eilish Criticizes His Wealth Use
Investigators later revealed that the father’s clients and his personal trainer also attempted to check on the family after losing contact with him for several days, further contributing to the sequence of events that led authorities to the home.
Local officials, including Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris, reflected on the broader conditions that may have contributed to the tragedy. Parris noted that the killings occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by strict lockdowns, school closures and widespread financial strain. He said the extraordinary stress experienced in many households at the time may have played a role in escalating underlying issues within the family.
Taylor and Brothwell were convicted of two felony counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, along with two felony counts of child abuse. The convictions carry a potential sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 13, 2026.
District Attorney Hochman praised the investigative team and prosecutors for assembling a comprehensive case. He commended the efforts of Deputy District Attorneys Alexander Lara and Kirsten Brown, as well as detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, for their work in bringing the case before the jury.
The surviving children remain under state protection as the community continues to grapple with the trauma left in the wake of the crime.
