The Gilbert Family's Troubled History

• 💔 The Gilbert family experienced significant instability, marked by parental separation, domestic violence, and children spending time in foster care.
• 🧠 Sarra Gilbert's mother, Mary, also struggled with mental illness, while Sarra herself began experiencing hallucinations and academic difficulties in adolescence.
• 🏠 Sarra endured a tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, experiencing domestic abuse, and later struggled with drug abuse and financial dependence on her mother.

Shannon Gilbert's Mysterious Disappearance

• 📱 Shannon Gilbert, Sarra's sister, worked as an escort and disappeared on May 1, 2010, after meeting a client, Joseph Brewer.
• 📞 Her last known communication was a 23-minute 911 call from Brewer's house, during which she expressed fear and distress.
• 🏃 Despite attempts by Brewer and her driver to get her to leave, Shannon fled and was last seen by neighbors before the call ended.
• 🔍 The search for Shannon was hampered by police perceived indifference, with her mother believing it was due to Shannon's involvement in sex work.
• 💔 Seven months later, four bodies of sex workers were found near where Shannon was last seen, leading to the investigation of the Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann.

Sarra Gilbert's Descent into Violence

• 🌀 Following Shannon's disappearance and death, Sarra's mental health severely declined, leading to psychotic breaks, delusions, and a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
• 🐶 In February 2016, Sarra drowned her pitbull puppy in front of her son and threatened him, resulting in her arrest and temporary loss of custody.
• 🔪 On July 23, 2016, Sarah, convinced her mother was an evil goddess, brutally murdered Mary Gilbert, stabbing her 227 times and bludgeoning her.

Trial and Conviction

• ⚖️ Sarra pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but the prosecution argued she was aware of her actions and their wrongfulness.
• 🔬 A psychiatrist testified that Sarra may have been 'malingering' or exaggerating her symptoms, and evidence suggested planning and intent.
• 🔒 In August 2017, Sarah was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, with parole eligibility in 2041.
• 😔 The case highlights the devastating impact of mental illness, trauma, and the complexities of the justice system, with her defense team still maintaining her lack of responsibility due to mental defect.