Julie Schenecker

Case record: Julie Schenecker

Background

Julie Powers Schenecker was born January 13, 1961, in Muscatine, Iowa. She lived in Tampa, Florida with her husband, U.S. Army Colonel Parker Schenecker, and their two children. The couple met in Germany during the 1980s, where Julie Powers was working as a Russian linguist.

At the time of their deaths, their daughter Calyx was 16 and their son Beau was 13.

The children were described as “cheerful and seemingly happy.”

Parker Schenecker divorced his wife in May 2011. After a dispute over the distribution of the family’s assets, particularly money for use in Schenecker’s legal defense, Parker Schenecker filed a civil lawsuit for wrongful deaths.

The offence

On January 28, 2011, Calyx and Beau Schenecker were found dead by police at their home in Tampa, Florida. The children were found inside the home, and both had been shot by a .38 revolver. Their bodies were covered in blankets.

Police stated that Julie Schenecker admitted killing her children because they “talked back and were mouthy”.

A note was allegedly found in the house describing a plan to murder her children and commit suicide.

According to the arrest affidavit, Beau was shot twice in the head on January 27 while being driven by his mother from soccer practice. Schenecker then drove home and killed Calyx in her room as she was doing her homework on her computer.

Calyx was found on her bed covered by a blanket. Beau was found in a sport utility vehicle in the garage.

The revolver had been purchased five days before the killings.

Investigation

Police visited the Schenecker home on November 6, 2010, to investigate an allegation of child abuse made by Calyx. No charges were filed against Schenecker. According to the police report, Schenecker acknowledged that she had hit her daughter.

Calyx told a counselor in a weekly meeting that her mother had hit her in the face when they were heading home from cross-country practice on November 2, 2010, according to the police report. Investigators visiting the home reported there were no visible injuries on Calyx when the report was filed four days later.

Calyx told investigators that Schenecker had “hit her with an open hand on her face for approximately 30 seconds,” according to the report.

Forensic and clinical details described after the killings included that Schenecker had been treated for depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse, and that detectives found numerous prescribed medications in the house. A close friend told them that the medicines were not “meshing.”

Arrest

On January 28, 2011, police visited the property after receiving a call from Schenecker’s mother, who expressed concern at not being able to reach her daughter.

Officers found Beau Schenecker in a sport utility vehicle in the garage and Calyx Schenecker in her bedroom; both had been shot by a .38 revolver and covered in blankets. Julie Schenecker was found unconscious on the rear porch covered in blood.

Police stated that Schenecker admitted to killing her children because they “talked back and were mouthy”. A police statement said, “She described the crimes in detail.”

Police also said Schenecker had complained that the children were “disrespectful and mouthy and that she was going to deal with it”.

The note allegedly detailed her plans to kill her children and then herself, saying: “They talked back and were mouthy” and that she was going to “take care of it.” Authorities said Schenecker bought a .38-calibre revolver the weekend before the shooting, and that she had to wait three days to bring it home, noting it would “delay the massacre.” Police found the bodies of her children covered with a blanket.

The arrest affidavit stated that police believe the revolver had been purchased five days before the killings, and that Schenecker bought the pistol on a Saturday and used it the following Thursday.

Schenecker was arrested at the scene. Later that day she was admitted to Tampa General Hospital for a “pre-existing medical condition,” and was released the next day. She was taken to Hillsborough County Jail, where she was held without bail.

Trial

Schenecker entered a plea of not guilty. Her legal team indicated they would pursue a defense of insanity.

Sentencing

No sentencing outcome was stated.

Appeals

No appeal information was stated.

Outcome

Schenecker faced charges for the deaths of her two children.

On February 9, 2011, she was indicted by a grand jury for first degree murder. Her arraignment was set for February 16, where she entered a plea of not guilty, with her defence team indicating they would pursue an insanity defense.

Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.

Aftermath

Parker Schenecker was identified as having filed a civil lawsuit for wrongful deaths after their divorce in May 2011. The dispute involved distribution of the family’s assets, including money for use in Schenecker’s legal defense.

In a wrongful death lawsuit response, Julie Schenecker’s attorneys argued that another person also bore blame in the deaths: their father. Parker Schenecker knew his then-wife, Julie, was mentally unstable yet left the teenagers in her care while he served overseas in the military.

Julie Schenecker’s attorney Paul Sullivan said she had been seeing psychiatrists and taking medication since the early 1990s, and in 2001 was committed to a mental institution for nine months. Sullivan also said she had to go to drug rehabilitation for alcohol and pain addiction just before last Christmas and spent the holidays in bed.

Sullivan said Parker Schenecker forbade his wife from driving the children because of her addiction problems.

Sullivan said: “We pointed out that it was partially negligence on his part that led to these children being left alone with their mother at a time when the dad, according to his own emails, could clearly tell she was a danger to herself and others,”

Parker Schenecker’s spokeswoman Lisa Eichhorn dismissed the accusation and issued a statement.

Eichhorn stated: “While not surprised today at Mrs. Schenecker's response, Mr. Schenecker will continue to hold his ex-wife responsible for her horrific actions and is undeterred in his efforts to forever honor Calyx and Beau's memories,” and “... Mr. Schenecker simply seeks justice to be served for his children and that their murderer be held responsible for her actions.”

The children’s bodies were found Jan. 28 in the Scheneckers’ Tampa Palms North home. Each was shot twice.

At memorial events, Parker Schenecker asked those who mourned the children to “please, don’t forget how they lived.”

Students closest to Calyx at King High School planted a willow tree for Calyx in the school courtyard. Jena Young, 16, said: “I’m not in a place to make sense of it,”

In relation to Calyx, track coach Gary Bingham said: “I’m just looking at this person saying, ‘Who is that?’ ” and also said: “You got to get that stuff out of your mind,”

Bingham had said of Calyx: “the fastest freshman I ever coached,” and that in the time he worked with Calyx, “the girl never once said anything negative to me.”

Daisy Questell, who taught Beau at Liberty Middle School, said: “I never heard anything about it, and you know how kids are, they say anything,”

Charanun Soodjinda, 38, said: “I never thought this would happen. How could you do that to your children?”

Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said: “I think we will never understand how or why a mother could take the lives of her children,” and “That was the only reason she provided to our detectives. ” She said: “We dont believe that the children knew that the mother meant to harm them.”

CentCom spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Lawhorn told WFTS-TV that Parker Schenecker had been away for several days. Lawhorn also said Parker Schenecker “had been away for several days.”

When asked about a parent who was always present at meets, Calyx’s track coach said: “One of the parents was always at a meet you know whether it was a dad or mom, someone was always there”.

Other details

Schenecker was described as a former Army linguist.

After the killings, she spent 20 hours in intensive care after her arrest, and remained in the infirmary of the Hillsborough County jail.

The case involved traffic accident details: Schenecker was involved in a traffic accident in November when her Mercedes rear-ended a trailer being towed by another car. Florida Highway Patrol troopers noted that she showed “signs of drug impairment,” including “dilated pupils” and “mush-mouthed speech,” and she was discharged from the hospital before blood could be drawn.

In an email dated 11 days before the children were killed, Parker Schenecker wrote that his wife had “the judgment of a 10-year-old” and had hit him and their children.

Parker Schenecker wrote: “Julie was broken before I met her. … I didn't break her, but have been patiently working behind the scenes to pick up the pieces and pick up the slack when she falters,”

Parker Schenecker also wrote: “At another point, he asked relatives to "channel your energy toward helping Julie to help herself. Although I'm still trying, I've been unsuccessful in that respect."”

Parker Schenecker thanked family members who offered help but dismissed those who had criticized “how I'm handling the current crisis.”

Paul Sullivan said: “All through his marriage, he's relied on people to help when she's been bad off,” and “But this time he didn't”.

In a People magazine tribute, Parker Schenecker wrote: “My children Calyx and Beau were typical kids who lived exceptional lives. They were bright and happy, admired by all who came in contact with them. ” He also wrote: “Like most kids their age, they loved their friends, school and sports - two all-American children in every aspect. However, through growing up in many different parts of the world, they developed many special qualities.”

He wrote: “She challenged everyone around her to think about others. ” and “She worked tirelessly to help her school raise money for the American Cancer Society, and she often spoke of her intense desire to 'do something that would change the world.' ” He also wrote: “It's my goal that Calyx still will.”

About Beau, Parker Schenecker wrote: “Beau had an incredible gift of empathy for others, even seeking out new kids and bringing them into his group. ” and “What I will remember most about Beau is his infectious smile and innate sense of humour.”

He wrote: “To help cope with my loss and have their incredible spirits live on, I am dedicating the rest of my life to honouring my children,”