Lisa Snyder was found guilty this week of murdering her two children, Conner and Brinley Snyder, in 2019. President Judge M. Theresa Johnson delivered the guilty verdict on September 24, 2024, atter a week-long bench trial in Berks County.
Snyder, 39, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, and one count of tampering with evidence. The charges stem from the deaths of her children, Conner, 8, and Brinley, 4, who were found hanging in the basement of their Albany Township home on September 23, 2019.
Emergency responders from the Kempton Fire Department discovered the children hanging from a dog lead and rushed them to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where they were placed on life support. After three days of critical care, both children were pronounced dead on September 26, 2019.
The Pennsylvania State Police launched an extensive investigation, uncovering disturbing details that led to Snyder’s arrest. It was revealed that she purchased the dog lead used in the murders the evening before the incident and picked it up the next morning. Additionally, in the days leading up to the murders, Snyder had conducted multiple internet searches on various methods of killing, including carbon monoxide poisoning and hanging. Investigators found that she had visited a website offering instructions on how to hang oneself.
While Snyder claimed she had lost her phone the day of the murders, forensic analysis of her vehicle’s infotainment system showed that her phone had been connected as late as September 27, 2019, contradicting her earlier statements. The device used for her internet searches, however, was never located.
Snyder chose to forgo a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial, which began on September 16, 2024. After eight days of testimony and evidence, Judge Johnson delivered the guilty verdict on all counts.
Snyder faces a mandatory sentence of Life in Prison without Parole. The investigation was led by PA State Police Troopers Ian Keck and Daniel Womer. The case was tried by ADAs Meg McCallum and Ken Brown.
