Veronica Youngblood, born in Argentina, was found guilty of murdering her two children, Sharon Castro and Brooklynn Youngblood, in August 2018. The murders were motivated by a custody battle with her ex-husband, who had been given permission to relocate to Missouri with Brooklynn. Youngblood supposedly pled insanity during her trial, but the jury dismissed her claim. The prosecution provided evidence of premeditation, including Youngblood buying the weapon used in the murders only nine days before. The jury convicted her guilty of two charges of first-degree murder and two counts of using a firearm to commit the crimes. She was sentenced to 78 years in jail on September 22, 2023. The story received widespread media coverage due to its stunning nature and tragic loss of life, sparking debates regarding mental health concerns and parental duties. Youngblood is expected to appeal her sentence.
Mom said she would take me to God.
Veronica Y. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Booklet #3-1/2 (5 × 7 envelope). Richmond, VA. September 20, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.
Veronica Youngblood,
a 37-year-old Virginia woman, was convicted of murdering her two
daughters, Sharon Castro, 15, and Brooklynn Youngblood, 5, in their
McLean home on August 5, 2018. Youngblood sedated them with
melatonin-laced gummy bears before shooting them in their beds.
Sharon Castro managed to call 911 despite being critically injured
and informed authorities that her mother had shot her. Youngblood's
motive for the crime was to seek revenge on her ex-husband, who
planned to relocate to Missouri with their younger daughter,
Brooklynn. She showed sadness and mental instability, prompting her
acts.
The trial, conducted by the prosecution, lasted two
weeks and presented evidence of premeditation. The prosecution argued
that the murders were meticulously planned as retaliation against her
ex-husband. The defense claimed Youngblood was mentally unstable and
suffering from depression. Veronica Youngblood, a woman with a
complicated mental health background, suffered from childhood trauma
in Argentina. As a result of her family's physical and sexual
assaults, she turned to sex work to support her family. Veronica
experienced despair and suicidal impulses, leading to several suicide
attempts. Her defense team claimed that the physical and sexual
violence in her background exacerbated her mental health problems.
During her trial, Veronica's defense claimed she was suffering from
schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations at the time of the murder.
However, the jury eventually rejected this defense. In March 2023,
she was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts
of felony firearm use charges. She was sentenced to 78 years in
prison.
Before the sentencing, Youngblood spent half an hour talking about the difficulties she had raising her children. She said in Spanish that she had been a good mother, and that she was unsure what happened, saying "Something exploded in my mind."
Documentaries and
news segments have been produced about Veronica Youngblood's crimes,
including "I Don't Want To Die" by MrDarkside, FOX 5
Washington DC, WUSA9, and Rising Crime News, and an episode of Evil
Lives Here on Investigation Discovery titled "She Called to
Say I Killed Them" on April 28, 2024.
This case
underscores the critical need to address mental health issues and the
profound impact of personal vendettas on tragic outcomes.
Youngblood's lengthy prison sentence reflects the severity of her
crimes and the need for support systems for those struggling with
mental health issues.
VIDEO: "Mom said she would take me to God" | The Chilling Case. True Crime Documentary. | https://youtu.be/dDbv7cC0Z-Q
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