Ohio Teen Killed Mom to Hide Her Big Secret

On a quiet March afternoon in 2020 in Ohio, a phone call between a mother and her daughter's university turned from routine to horrific in seconds. Brenda Powell, a beloved child-life specialist, was speaking to school officials about her daughter Sydney's academic status when the call took a chilling turn. Brenda's worried voice, the background thuds and, finally, her anguished screams told a story that words couldn't capture. By the time police arrived, Brenda lay lifeless, and her 19-year-old daughter, Sydney, stood at the center of a violent tragedy that would haunt the family and captivate the community.

What happened in the Powell home?

Sydney Powell, then 19, had been secretly grappling with academic trouble at the University of Mount Union. Despite once holding an impressive GPA, her grades had plummeted, and the university eventually dismissed her, a truth Sydney kept from her family. On the day of the murder, school officials reached out to her mother, Brenda, to discuss Sydney's status. During the call, Sydney attacked her mother, reportedly hitting her with a cast-iron skillet before stabbing her nearly 30 times.

Witnesses on the call, including the university's Associate Dean of Students, Michelle Gaffney, later testified they heard disturbing "thuds" and "screams" before the line went dead. Concerned, officials repeatedly called back, but the phone went unanswered — until Sydney picked up, claiming to be her mother. The call cut out again, adding another layer of suspicion and dread.

Did Sydney try to stage the scene?

When officers reached the Akron home, they found signs that didn't add up. Sydney, disheveled and frantic, claimed an intruder had broken in and attacked her mother, yet broken glass at the scene looked staged. The window appeared broken from inside, not from the outside. Bloody footprints scattered the house, matching Sydney's shoes, and both a cast-iron skillet and kitchen knife lay near Brenda's body, each covered in blood. Police pieced together a different story than the one Sydney had tried to tell — a story in which she desperately sought to cover her tracks.

Brian LoPrinzi, the chief of the Summit County Criminal Division, later detailed how Sydney turned to violence in a split second, saying, "When her mother found out about her lies, she ran to get the first thing she could find — probably the skillet. When her mother didn't die, she went back, this time with a knife," as reported by News 5 Cleveland.

What happened after the arrest?

Arrested at the scene, Sydney faced charges that could alter her life permanently. Yet as her trial approached, her defense team brought forward a different perspective: they argued Sydney's actions weren't just impulsive but fueled by severe mental illness. Her attorneys claimed Sydney suffered from schizophrenia, an illness that often manifests in young adulthood, leading to episodes of psychosis.

Family members supported Sydney in court, hoping for leniency. They argued the Sydney they knew would never hurt her mother, and letters poured in from loved ones describing the close bond between mother and daughter, a bond that others described as more like best friends than family. But despite the defense's appeal for compassion and leniency, the prosecution remained unconvinced.

Did the insanity defense work?

The prosecution painted Sydney as fully aware of her actions and in control when she committed the murder. They argued that Sydney, worried her mother was learning of her expulsion and lies, turned to violence to silence her. She broke the window herself to make it look like an intruder had attacked her mother. To them, her behavior after the murder — pretending to be her mother over the phone — was consistent with someone trying to avoid responsibility, not someone lost in psychosis.

The jury agreed, ultimately convicting her on charges of murder, assault, and evidence tampering. In 2023, Judge Kelly McLaughlin sentenced Sydney to life in prison with a chance of parole after 15 years. She has appealed the decision.

How has the family reacted to this heartbreaking case?

Brenda Powell's death left a deep void in her family and community. Known for her dedication at Akron Children's Hospital, Brenda had devoted her life to supporting children facing critical health issues. In court, family members remembered her as a gentle soul who went out of her way to help others. Those close to the family recall Sydney and Brenda's close relationship, leaving many to question how a tragedy this brutal could tear apart a seemingly inseparable bond.

Sydney's father and relatives continue to support her, expressing both heartbreak and resilience. They remember Brenda's warmth and Sydney's once-promising future, hoping that others will learn from their unimaginable loss. As they continue to stand by Sydney, her family remains vocal, advocating for the importance of mental health awareness while also processing the profound impact of Brenda's loss.

What can be learned from this case?

The Powell case stands as a tragic reminder of the complex, sometimes hidden challenges young adults face. For Sydney's family, Brenda's colleagues, and the community, the story raises questions about family expectations, mental health, and the consequences of unaddressed struggles. Sydney Powell's life may never be the same, but for those close to her, the hope remains that her story will spark a conversation on recognizing early signs of trouble and helping those who may be struggling, even when it feels like everything is fine on the surface.

References: Ohio Woman Who Brutally Beat and Stabbed Own Mother to Death After Getting Kicked Out of College Gets Life in Prison | Sydney Powell gets life in prison for brutally stabbing mother to death in 2020 | "No Touch With Reality": Teen Diagnosed With Schizophrenia After Killing Mom with Skillet