Benjamin Adam Sifrit was born on October 21, 1977, in Estherville, Iowa. He grew up moving across the Midwest and Texas due to his father's job as a business executive. In high school, Benjamin was an accomplished swimmer and lifeguard. After graduating in 1996, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and entered the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, where he excelled physically. However, his military career was marred by disciplinary issues, including multiple traffic violations and misconduct offenses, leading to a bad conduct discharge and revocation of his SEAL status.

Benjamin met Erika Grace during her senior year at Mary Washington College. Their relationship progressed rapidly, culminating in marriage after just a few weeks of dating. The couple settled in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Erika's parents helped them open a scrapbooking store called "Memory Laine." They also ran an eBay store selling stolen memorabilia, particularly items related to Hooters restaurants, which they acquired through burglaries.

On May 25, 2002, during Memorial Day weekend, Benjamin and Erika Sifrit met Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley in Ocean City, Maryland. After socializing at a nightclub, the Sifrits invited the couple to their condominium. Once there, Erika falsely accused Ford and Crutchley of stealing her purse, leading to a confrontation. Ford and Crutchley locked themselves in the bathroom, but Benjamin fired shots through the door, killing Ford. The exact circumstances of Crutchley's death remain unclear. ​

Benjamin admitted to dismembering the bodies to conceal the crimes. The remains were placed in trash bags and disposed of in dumpsters across Delaware. Some of the remains were later recovered from a landfill.

On May 31, 2002, the Sifrits were arrested for burglarizing a Hooters restaurant. During the arrest, authorities found the victims' identification cards in Erika's purse. Benjamin was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the death of Martha Crutchley, as well as accessory after the fact for both murders. He was sentenced to 38 years in prison. ​

In April 2022, Benjamin Sifrit was denied parole. His mandatory release date is set for 2030, although this may change based on credits earned while incarcerated.