Fatal Family Violence Cases Across U.S., Brazil

Recent violent incidents involving parents and children have shaken communities in the U.S. and Brazil. In New Canaan, Connecticut, police say 20‑year‑old Sebastian Van Stockum beat his 55‑year‑old mother, antique dealer Laura Williams, to death with fists and a hammer at their home and was arrested after a 911 confession. In Nassau County, New York, Jose William Funes‑Zabala, 44, pleaded guilty to murdering 29‑year‑old Brenda Guadalupe Alfaro‑Alcantara—prosecutors say he stabbed her about 35 times in front of their 2‑year‑old son—and faces 20 years to life amid family claims earlier warnings were ignored. In Parelheiros, São Paulo, 37‑year‑old Caline Arruda dos Santos was reportedly fatally stabbed by her nine‑year‑old son after an argument; witnesses say she asked for “one last hug,” and because the child is under 12 he cannot be criminally prosecuted and remains with relatives while police investigate. In Liberty County, Texas, prosecutors allege Jessica Quintana drugged her three children with NyQuil and tequila and tried to drown them in a pond in an apparent murder‑suicide attempt; the children survived, a teenage daughter aided investigators, and Quintana faces multiple charges. In Brooklyn, a 13‑year‑old was stabbed after a confrontation that began with kids throwing objects at a car and no arrests have been made, and in Ohio Bionca Ellis was sentenced to life without parole for the June 2024 murder of 3‑year‑old Julian Wood, who was stabbed while sitting in a shopping cart.