L.A. Parents Sentenced for Decapitating Two Children

Couple forced siblings to view bodies, denied them food for days

Feb. 2, 2026 at 8:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Lancaster couple was sentenced to life in prison without parole for decapitating their 12- and 13-year-old children in 2020. The parents were found guilty of first-degree murder, and their two younger sons, ages 8 and 9, were forced to view the bodies and were denied food for several days.

Why it matters

This horrific crime shocked the local community and highlighted the need for greater mental health resources and support for families in crisis. The case also raised questions about the state's ability to identify and intervene in situations of severe child abuse.

The details

Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr., 39, and his wife Natalie Sumiko Brothwell, 49, were convicted of stabbing and decapitating their two eldest children. When Taylor failed to join Zoom meetings with his personal training clients, they became concerned and contacted authorities. Deputies found the children's bodies in separate bedrooms in the home.

  • The murders occurred in 2020.
  • The couple was sentenced on February 2, 2026.

The players

Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr.

A 39-year-old Lancaster resident who was convicted of first-degree murder for decapitating his two children.

Natalie Sumiko Brothwell

A 49-year-old Lancaster resident who was convicted of first-degree murder for decapitating her two children.

Nathan J. Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who called the crime a "monstrous act of cruelty that shattered an entire family."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was a monstrous act of cruelty that shattered an entire family. Two innocent children were brutally murdered, and their young brothers were left to live through unimaginable horror.”

— Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney

What’s next

The couple's two surviving children were placed under a 10-year protective order by the court.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for greater mental health resources and support for families in crisis, as well as the importance of early intervention to prevent such horrific acts of violence against children.