Jasmine Richardson was born on May 29, 1993 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada into what seemed like a typical family, however, beneath the surface, Jasmine struggled with her identity and mental health issues.
As a teenager, she became increasingly drawn to the gothic subculture. Immersing herself in online communities that celebrated dark themes and alternative lifestyles, this fascination provided an escape from her everyday life, but also led her down a troubling path, per The News.
In early 2006, at just 12 years old, Jasmine met Jeremy Steinke. A 23-year-old high school dropout who claimed to be a vampire.
Their relationship blossomed through online forums and punk rock concerts, where they bonded over their shared interests in the macabre.
Despite the significant age difference and her parent’s disapproval, Jasmine became infatuated with Jeremy. Viewing him as a figure who understood her in ways her family could not.
As their relationship deepened, Jasmine’s parents grew increasingly concerned about Jeremy’s influence on their daughter.
They attempted to sever Jasmine’s ties to him by restricting her internet access and forbidding contact. However, this only fueled Jasmine’s resentment and desperation to be with Jeremy.
In a chilling turn of events, she began to entertain violent thoughts against her family, expressing a desire to eliminate the obstacles standing between her and Jeremy.
Jasmine Richardson’s message to Jeremy Steinke: “I have this plan. It begins with me killing them and ends with me living with you”, per The New Zealand Herald.
Jeremy Steinke’s online post: “Their throats I want to slit. They will regret the s*** they have done. Especially when I see to it that they are gone. They shall pay for their insulince [sic]. Finally there shall be silence. Their blood shall be payment!”.
On April 23, 2006 Jasmine and Jeremy executed their horrific plan. Under the cover of the night, Jeremy entered the Richardson home through an open window. That Jasmine had left for him.
He first attacked Debra. Stabbing her multiple times before turning on her father, Marc. In the chaos, Jasmine’s eight-year-old brother Tyler, was also brutally murdered, the CBC reported.
The scene was gruesome. Marc suffered 24 stab wounds. Debra had 12. Tyler was found with his throat slit, and multiple knife wounds.
Police on the discovery of the murders: “The scene was a very gruesome one, and officers were immediately struck by the violence of the attack.”
After the murders both fled the scene but were apprehended two days later in Saskatchewan after a nationwide manhunt.
Insp. Brent Secondiak: “I truly believed that this person was missing and possibly abducted. It wasn’t even in the realm of possibility that she was an accused”, per Vice.
The investigation revealed that Jasmine had drawn a stick figure comic depicting her family’s murder and had communicated plans for the killings to Jeremy via email.
The trial that followed captivated Canada.
Jasmine became one of the youngest individuals charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder.
In 2007, she was convicted and sentenced to ten years in a psychiatric facility—the maximum penalty for someone under 14 years old in Canada—while Jeremy received a life sentence, per Global News.
Jasmine spent four years in a psychiatric institution, followed by additional time under conditional supervision before being released in 2016.
Judge’s remarks upon Jasmine’s release: “I think your parents and brother would be proud of you. Clearly you cannot undo the past; you can only live each day with the knowledge you can control how you behave and what you do each day”, per CBC.