( Image: ABC)
Lisa Snyder, a 41-year-old mother from Kempton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to life in prison for the horrific murders of her two young children. The chilling case shocked the community five years ago when her 8-year-old son, Connor, and 4-year-old daughter, Brinley, were found hanging from dog leashes in their basement. On September 26, Snyder was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, child endangerment, and tampering with evidence.
Berks County Court of Common Pleas Judge M. Theresa Johnson handed down the life sentence without parole, ordering Snyder to serve two consecutive life terms in a state correctional facility. In addition to the murder charges, Snyder received an additional sentence of 8 ½ to 17 years for child endangerment and evidence tampering.
Snyder’s defense initially tried to explain the tragedy as a result of bullying. She claimed her son Connor had been tormented at school and had threatened to take his own life, but investigators quickly found discrepancies in her story. Authorities found no evidence to suggest that Connor had been bullied, and school bus surveillance footage from the day of the incident showed no signs of distress. An occupational therapist also testified that Connor was not physically capable of inflicting such harm on himself or his younger sister, further discrediting Snyder’s claim.
The prosecution highlighted key details, including Snyder’s disturbing online search history. Just days before the murders, Snyder had searched for topics related to suicide and death by hanging. She had also viewed episodes of a crime documentary series, raising further suspicion. The coroner confirmed that both children died from hanging and ruled their deaths as homicides.
Throughout the trial, Snyder maintained her innocence, but the evidence against her was overwhelming. The jury’s guilty verdict on two counts of first-degree murder automatically carried a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Despite the defense’s argument that the case was built on speculation and “guesswork,” the court found Snyder’s actions deliberate and cruel.
Snyder had previously attempted to plead no contest but mentally ill to two third-degree murder charges, hoping for a reduced sentence. However, Judge Johnson rejected the plea last year, stating that it did not “serve the interests of justice.” Instead, Snyder’s trial moved forward, culminating in this week’s sentencing.
When the trial began, Snyder opted to have her case heard by a judge rather than a jury. After hearing all the evidence, including testimony from experts and witnesses, Judge Johnson deliberated for just over an hour before delivering the guilty verdict.
The murders of Connor and Brinley Snyder left a lasting impact on the local community. Berks County residents followed the case closely, horrified by the tragic loss of two young lives. The sentencing brings some measure of closure to those who have been following the case, though the pain of such a senseless act of violence will remain for years to come.
Lisa Snyder will spend the rest of her life in prison, serving out her sentence for the gruesome and heart-wrenching murders of her children.
