In a tragic case in Missouri, a 33-year-old man, S. Brewer, has been sentenced to two life terms for the brutal murder of his 27-year-old pregnant girlfriend, B. Toalson, and her unborn child. The horrifying incident took place in front of Toalson’s young children, aged 3 and 4, marking a chilling example of domestic violence. Brewer pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and will serve his sentences in a state correctional facility.
The crime occurred on August 1, 2023, when deputies were called to a reported assault with a weapon at a residence. Upon arrival, they found Toalson dead from a gunshot wound to the head. She was about four months pregnant at the time of her death. Family members confirmed her identity, and witnesses, along with doorbell camera footage, quickly implicated Brewer as the shooter, showing him leaving the home with a firearm after the incident.
A probable cause affidavit revealed harrowing details of the confrontation that led to Toalson’s death. During a post-Miranda interview, Brewer confessed to grabbing a handgun during an argument with Toalson and shooting her in the head. He described watching her fall and bleed out against a wall. Tragically, Toalson’s two young children were present during the shooting and were later found with Brewer at the time of his arrest. Brewer also led authorities to the murder weapon, which he had hidden under a rock in a nearby creek bed.
Initially charged with capital murder, Brewer reached a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. As part of the agreement, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful firearm possession were dismissed. Judge H. Jacobs sentenced Brewer to two life terms to run concurrently. Missouri law mandates that Brewer serve at least 85% of his 30-year life sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Despite the sentencing, the case did not provide full closure for Toalson’s family. Her mother voiced disappointment with the plea deal, expressing that she had hoped for the death penalty or a life sentence without parole. She criticized Brewer for not offering an apology or showing remorse during the hearing. Toalson’s cousin echoed these sentiments, noting Brewer’s indifference and lack of regret. The family also highlighted Brewer’s history of domestic violence, with previous charges filed against him in 2019 and 2021, underscoring a disturbing pattern that led to this tragic event.
The case has left the community mourning and the family grappling with an unimaginable loss. Local authorities and the judicial system remain committed to addressing domestic violence with the urgency it requires, hoping to prevent further tragedies like this.