On a quiet summer day in American Fork, Utah, the unthinkable happened. Brenda Lafferty, just 24 years old, was brutally murdered alongside her 15-month-old daughter, Erica. The scene shocked not only the small Mormon community but the entire nation.
Even more disturbing was the identity of the killers: Brenda’s own brothers-in-law, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who claimed they were carrying out a divine revelation from God. This wasn’t just a murder. It was a tragedy born from religious extremism, family betrayal, and delusional belief.
🔥 A Scene of Unspeakable Horror
July 24, 1984, started like any other day for Allen Lafferty, Brenda’s husband. But what he returned home to was beyond nightmarish. His wife was found lifeless, strangled with a vacuum cord and her throat slashed. His baby daughter had been murdered in her crib, the walls soaked in blood.
The killers didn’t flee in haste. In fact, they believed they were doing God’s work.
📖 From Faith to Fundamentalism
The Lafferty brothers were once considered devout members of the LDS Church. But when Ron and Dan began to question modern doctrines and reject church authority, they spiraled into radicalism. They formed a breakaway sect called the School of the Prophets, aligning with a brand of violent Mormon fundamentalism.
Ron’s descent became particularly dangerous. After his wife left him—encouraged by Brenda—he became convinced that God was punishing him. He began receiving what he believed were revelations, including one that commanded him to “remove” Brenda and Erica for interfering in his divine destiny.
⚠️ The Warning That Went Unheeded
The brothers’ delusions weren’t hidden. They spoke openly of their “revelations.” Even Allen Lafferty was aware of Ron’s prophecy targeting his wife and daughter. Tragically, he dismissed it as nonsense. That mistake would haunt him for the rest of his life.
🔪 The Brutal Killings
Ron and Dan Lafferty arrived at the Lafferty home while Allen was at work. According to court records, Brenda fought hard to protect her child. But the brothers were relentless. Dan strangled and slashed Brenda, while Ron murdered Erica, claiming it was God’s command.
The brutality was so severe, seasoned detectives were left shaken. Even more chilling, the brothers didn’t flee Utah right away. They had two more names on their “removal revelation” hit list but failed to locate them. They were arrested in Reno, Nevada, weeks later—with no remorse.
⚖️ Trials, Sentencing, and Controversy
Ron and Dan Lafferty were both convicted, but their legal journeys took different paths.
- Dan Lafferty received two life sentences without parole.
- Ron Lafferty was sentenced to death and remained on death row for 34 years before dying of natural causes in 2019.
Throughout their incarceration, neither expressed regret. In fact, Dan referred to the killings as a “matter of business.”
The case triggered debates about mental health, religious freedom, and the death penalty—especially since Ron was diagnosed with a delusional disorder but still deemed fit for trial.
🧠 Was It Faith or Psychosis?
For many, the question still remains: were the Lafferty brothers mentally ill, or manipulative fanatics using religion as an excuse?
Some psychiatrists diagnosed Ron with paranoid schizophrenia and religious delusions. Yet, others saw a calculated ideology, shaped by fringe theology and a lust for patriarchal control.
Brenda, a strong-willed and educated woman, had become a symbol of defiance against their extremism. She encouraged women like Diana Lafferty, Ron’s wife, to escape the abuse. In the brothers’ eyes, that made her an enemy of their doctrine.
🙏 Brenda’s Legacy: More Than a Murder Victim
Though her life was tragically short, Brenda’s memory lives on through her family and those she inspired.
Her sister, Sharon Wright Weeks, has since become a victim’s advocate, speaking passionately about domestic violence, religious manipulation, and the need for systemic change. Despite Ron’s death sentence, Sharon publicly opposed the death penalty, calling for compassion in justice, not vengeance.
“This wasn’t about God. It was about control,” she said.
“Brenda stood up, and she paid the ultimate price.”
📚 The Cultural Impact: Under the Banner of Heaven
Brenda Lafferty’s story is at the heart of Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book, Under the Banner of Heaven, and its Hulu series adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones. While dramatized, the series sparked renewed interest in the dangers of religious extremism, misogyny cloaked as prophecy, and the unchecked power of radical ideologies.
❓ FAQs
Who murdered Brenda Lafferty and her daughter Erica?
Ron and Dan Lafferty, Brenda’s brothers-in-law, murdered her and her baby in 1984.
Why did they kill Brenda and Erica?
Ron believed he received a divine revelation commanding him to “remove” them. They viewed Brenda as a threat to their spiritual authority.
What happened to the Lafferty brothers?
Dan is serving life without parole. Ron was on death row until he died of natural causes in 2019.
Was this a crime motivated by religion?
Yes—Ron and Dan were radicalized by extremist Mormon fundamentalism and claimed their actions were directed by God.
What’s the book or series about this case?
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer and the Hulu series of the same name delve deeply into the case and its religious backdrop.
Did Brenda’s family forgive the Laffertys?
While some family members opposed the death penalty, they have remained outspoken about the pain and injustice of Brenda’s murder.