Disturbing Searches Detail Allegations in Ontario First-Degree Murder Trial
A harrowing picture of alleged abuse and neglect is emerging in the first-degree murder trial of Becky Hamber and Brandy Cooney, with evidence revealing disturbing online searches conducted by the pair before and after the death of a 12-year-old boy in their care. The searches, presented in court on Thursday, included queries like “I hate my child” and “crime scene cleanup,” raising serious questions about their state of mind and potential attempts to conceal evidence.
The Case and the Allegations
Hamber and Cooney, from Burlington, Ontario, have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of L.L., who died on December 21, 2022. They also face charges of confinement, assault with a weapon – zip ties – and failing to provide the necessaries of life related to L.L.’s younger brother, J.L., now 13. The trial, ongoing in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, centers around allegations that the women abused and neglected two Indigenous children they were attempting to adopt.
The Crown argues that Hamber and Cooney subjected the boys to a pattern of abuse and neglect, while the women’s legal counsel maintains they were doing their best to care for children with significant behavioral challenges, hampered by a lack of support from social services.
Electronic Evidence Reveals Troubling Searches
Sgt. Julie Powers of the Halton Police, who led the investigation, has spent the week detailing evidence recovered from the couple’s electronic devices, including photos, surveillance video, audio recordings, and text messages spanning from 2019 to 2022. Many deleted text messages from December 25, 2022, were successfully recovered by investigators.
According to testimony, Justice Clayton Conlan identified several searches as particularly concerning:
- A search for “I did not love my adopted child” on August 15, 2022.
- A search for “I hate my child” on December 19, 2022 – just two days before L.L.’s death.
- Searches regarding the definitions of culpable homicide, murder, and manslaughter on January 1, 2023.
- A search for “Delete Wyze” on January 2, 2023, indicating an attempt to erase footage from their Wyze security camera system.
- A visit to a website about rumination syndrome on January 3, 2023.
- A search for “crime scene cleanup” on January 16, 2023.
Further searches included information related to aspiration, deleting photos from iPhones, financial assistance following a child’s death, and second-degree murder.
Disturbing Texts and Conditions
The court also heard excerpts of text messages between Cooney and her father, revealing a pattern of demeaning language directed at L.L. and J.L. In one exchange on November 28, 2022, Cooney texted her father, “Can u wake the loser please.” Later that day, she wrote, “Can u sent the dumb brat upstairs please,” followed by, “Can u put the dickbag on the stairs please.”
A disturbing incident on November 30, 2022, involved a discussion about a mess on L.L.’s bed, potentially blood or vomit. Hamber’s response, “I don’t care. It doesn’t matter,” underscored a perceived lack of concern for the boy’s well-being. The pair then discussed having L.L. clean the mess with a single Lysol wipe.
Witnesses have testified that L.L. was severely malnourished and emaciated at the time of his death, appearing as if he were six years old despite being 12. Paramedics found him unresponsive, soaking wet, and locked in his basement bedroom. He died shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
Hamber’s Statement to Police
Assistant Crown attorney Monica MacKenzie played a video of a statement Hamber gave to police in 2023. Wearing a “Be the change” T-shirt, Hamber denied zip-tying J.L., describing him as “dishonest” and urging the detective not to believe him. She also denied feeding J.L. pureed food and claimed she didn’t believe the security cameras saved video. Hamber stated that it had been “true hell” since J.L. was taken into the care of the Children’s Aid Society on December 26, 2022, and expressed a desire to hug him.
Trial Continues
The trial is scheduled to continue on Friday with the Crown completing its questioning of Sgt. Powers, who is the prosecution’s final witness. The trial is expected to extend into at least mid-January, as the court seeks to unravel the complex circumstances surrounding L.L.’s death and the allegations against Hamber and Cooney. .
