In a dramatic murder trial, prosecutors accused a disturbed Canadian couple of callously joking about the torture and death of their foster child, whom they allegedly despised.
Becky Hamber, aged 46, and Brandy Cooney, 44, exchanged chilling text messages like “shiver shiver dumb f–k” in the days leading up to the tragic discovery of their 12-year-old foster child. The boy was found cold, severely underweight, and unconscious in the basement of their Ontario home in December 2022, according to evidence presented in court.
Identified only as “LL,” the child was pronounced dead shortly after the texts were sent. Authorities noted that his physical condition was akin to that of an average 6-year-old. It is suspected that his death was caused by hypothermia or cardiac arrest due to severe malnutrition, as reported by Law and Crime.
Prosecutors highlighted incriminating texts exchanged between Cooney and Hamber just a month before the child’s death, suggesting that the couple was fully aware of the harm they were inflicting and expressing their disdain for him.
Cooney allegedly texted Hamber, “Unfortunately my thoughts [are] he is suddenly going to die and I’m going to jail,” illustrating their awareness of the potential consequences of their actions.
Both women faced trial in September, maintaining their innocence against charges of murder, failing to provide the necessaries of life, assault with a weapon, and unlawful confinement.
The couple had been caring for LL and his younger brother since about 2017, and were close to adopting them despite years of alleged heinous behavior that included isolating the boys from each other and forcing them to live in filthy conditions.
LL allegedly slept on a cot that was often covered in vomit and only ever cleaned with a wipe, a social worker testified at the trial, which began in September.
That social worker testified that there was always “vomit everywhere” when she visited the home, and that the couple insisted LL had an eating disorder which caused it, according to the Daily Mail.
“They admitted [LL] was 48 pounds,” the social worker testified. “But stated it was because he would throw up food, chew it again, and lick it off the floor.”
The boys were also both forced to wear wetsuits and hockey helmets constantly, which Hamber and Cooney insisted was to prevent them from hurting themselves and making messes in the house.
The couple frequently took blankets away from the kids and suggested the brothers exercise to keep warm instead, prosecutors claimed.
Hamber’s and Coooney’s defense argued the parents had done everything in the boys’ best interest, but that they were a challenging pair of kids to care for with complicated behavioral needs.
They also argued that child care and health professionals were checking on the kids, and had never reported any concerns about their care.
There is no jury in the trial, and a judge will decide the couple’s fate after closing arguments ended Friday.
