() Family members of a second woman killed during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison in California are speaking out about her death.

In November 2024, Stephanie “Stevi” Dowells was strangled during a conjugal visit with David Brinson, who has not been charged in her death.

Nearly four months before Dowells’ death, Tania Thomas died nearly the same way at the same prison during a conjugal visit with convicted felon Anthony Curry. Thomas and Curry were married and shared a 25-year-old son together.

Thomas’ visit with Curry was scheduled for July 1, 2024. By 6 a.m. the next day, she was dead. Curry told prison officials that Thomas “just didn’t wake up.” Months later, a coroner found that she had been strangled.

On March 19, charges in Thomas’ death were brought against Curry, nearly nine months after she died.

Jeanine Rojo, Thomas’ cousin, said Curry was up for parole in January of 2024 but was denied and told Thomsa he had another hearing in January of 2025. Thomas found out the hearing was not for another two years. Rojo said the family is speculating that she went on the visit to tell Curry she was ending things.

When Rojo discovered that Stephanie Dowells died in November, she said she wanted to learn more and contacted her family to let them know that Thomas died the same way.

“It shouldn’t happen to Tania,” Rojo said. “But it definitely shouldn’t have happened to Stevi.”