Stephany Bilecki, a mother from Alaska, was sentenced to 130 years in prison for the suffocation murders of her two infant daughters, Chyanne and Jasmine, over a span of two years. In July, Bilecki pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her daughters. Under the terms of her plea agreement, prosecutors dropped two additional charges of second-degree murder as well as two counts of first-degree murder. As part of the sentencing, 85 years of her sentence were suspended, meaning she will serve 45 years in prison, after which she may be subject to 10 years of probation.
The case began in September 2015 when Bilecki reported the sudden death of her 4-month-old daughter, Chyanne. At first, her death was presumed to be from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, after further investigation, authorities determined that Chyanne had died from injuries consistent with strangulation. Despite this finding, no immediate conclusions were made regarding foul play, and the case remained open but inconclusive.
Two years later, in November 2017, Bilecki called her in-laws to report that her 13-month-old daughter, Jasmine, was not breathing. Once again, she dialed 911 shortly before the grandparents arrived. Initial signs pointed to a possible SIDS case, similar to her first daughter’s death. However, the investigation into Jasmine’s death was far more thorough and uncovered disturbing evidence.
In the days leading up to Jasmine’s death, Bilecki had conducted several internet searches on her phone, using phrases such as “ways to suffocate,” “ways to kill a human with no proof,” “drugs that can kill people with no trace,” and “16 steps to kill someone and not get caught.” These searches raised suspicions, leading investigators to reopen the case into Chyanne’s death. A later autopsy revealed that Jasmine’s cause of death was a lack of oxygen, consistent with suffocation.
The discovery of Bilecki’s internet searches and the similarities between the two deaths prompted authorities to take a closer look at the earlier death of Chyanne. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Bilecki had likely been responsible for both of her daughters’ deaths. In August 2018, Bilecki was indicted by a grand jury for the murders of both children.
The case shocked the community and raised questions about how such tragedies could happen. Fairbanks Police Chief Eric Jewkes described the situation as a reflection of the “evil” that sometimes exists in society, particularly when it comes to the harm of innocent children by those who should protect them. It was a case that not only devastated the families of the victims but also deeply affected the Fairbanks community.
During her sentencing hearing, Bilecki appeared to accept responsibility for her actions, though her demeanor was described as barely audible. The state requested a lengthy sentence of 65 years for each of the murders, with 40 years suspended for one count and 45 years suspended for the second count. The judge agreed to this recommendation, stating that Bilecki’s conduct was deeply shocking and that justice for the victims and their families was paramount.
Under the terms of her sentence, if Bilecki is released from prison at some point in the future, she will be required to undergo 10 years of probation. Additionally, she will be prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors under the age of 16 in non-public locations, a measure designed to prevent any future harm to children.
This case highlights the disturbing lengths to which some individuals will go to conceal their crimes. In Bilecki’s case, her internet searches were a chilling indication of premeditation, which ultimately led to the uncovering of her role in the deaths of her daughters. The tragic loss of two innocent lives will undoubtedly leave lasting scars on the families involved, and the case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the need for justice when such horrific crimes are committed.
