This list includes information on people who killed their parents, loosely ranked by notoriety. Over the years, several people have been found guilty of murdering their parents. Some of these individuals killed out of anger, while others claimed self-defense. A few of the murder motives also involved hefty inheritance checks.
Who is the most famous person who reportedly killed their parents? Lowell Lee Andrews was convicted of murder in the 1958 shooting deaths of his mother, father, and sister. He was executed for the killings in 1962. Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 shooting deaths of their parents Jose and Kitty. Their trial became a media sensation in the early 1990s. Other notable cases involving a parent's murder include defendants Heather Mack, Brian Blackwell and David Brom.
Do you think that murdering parents is one of the the worst crimes imaginable? Explore this list then weigh in with your opinion in the comments.
People Who Killed Their Parents,
Brian Blackwell
Brian Blackwell was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his parents Sydney and Jacqueline in 2004. Both victims were beaten with a hammer and stabbed multiple times.
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Christopher Porco
Christopher Porco was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the 2004 axe murder of his father Peter. His mother was also attacked and left for dead, but she survived the incident. Porco denies involvement in the crime and his mother - who once indicated that he was the assailant - also believes him to be innocent.
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David Brom
David Brom was sentenced to four life sentences for the axe murders of his entire family - his father Bernard, his mother Paulette, his sister Diane, and his brother Rick. He reportedly had an argument about music with his father before committing the crimes.
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Lowell Lee Andrews
Lowell Lee Andrews was convicted for murder in the 1958 shooting deaths of his mother, father and sister. He was executed by hanging in 1962.
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Lyle and Erik Menendez
Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 shooting deaths of their parents Jose and Kitty. Police reportedly didn't suspect the brothers until Erik confessed to his psychiatrist, who told police after Lyle had made threats against him.
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Stacey Lannert
Stacey Lannert admitted to shooting her father in 1990, stating that he abused her and her sister for many years. The prosecutor believed that she actually killed him for a $500,000 inheritance and she was found guilty of murder. 18 years into her sentence, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt determined that Lannert suffered extensive abuse at the hand of her father and she was released.
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Seth Privacky
Seth Privacky was sentenced to life in prison in the 1998 shooting deaths of his parents, his brother, his grandfather, and his brother's girlfriend. He was shot and killed in a failed prison escape from the Kinross Correctional Facility in 2010.
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Larry Swartz
Larry Swartz was convicted in the 1984 stabbing deaths of his adoptive parents, Bob and Kay Swartz. He served nine years in prison before being released in 1993. He died of an apparent heart attack in 2005.
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John William McGrath
John William McGrath was sentenced to life in a mental hospital after admitting to killing his parents and two brothers in 1962. Ten years into his sentence, McGrath vanished and remains missing to this day.
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Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson was convicted of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of her parents Alan and Diane. She was sentenced to two life sentences for the crimes.
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