Julie Powers Schenecker was born on January 13, 1961, in Muscatine, Iowa. She grew up in the Midwest and later moved to different places as an adult. In the 1980s, she worked as a Russian linguist in Germany, where she met her future husband, Parker Schenecker. Parker was a U.S. Army Colonel, and the couple eventually moved to Tampa, Florida.

Julie and Parker settled in Tampa and had two children, a daughter named Calyx and a son named Beau. Calyx was born in 1994, and Beau followed in 1997. The family seemed to have a typical suburban lifestyle, with Parker often away due to his military career.

By 2010, Julie was experiencing significant troubles. On November 6, 2010, police visited their home in response to an allegation of child abuse made by Calyx. This visit was a serious moment for the family. Although no charges were filed against Julie, she acknowledged hitting Calyx during the confrontation after a cross-country practice. No visible injuries were reported at that time.

At the time of their deaths in January 2011, Calyx was 16 years old, and Beau was 13. Julie's relationship with her children seemed to be troubled. Reports described Calyx and Beau as cheerful and seemingly happy, but there were signs of conflict in the home.

On January 27, 2011, Julie Powers Schenecker killed her two children, 16-year-old Calyx and 13-year-old Beau Schenecker, in their home in Tampa, Florida. The following day, police were called by Julie's mother, who was worried about not being able to reach her daughter. Officers then discovered Beau inside a sport utility vehicle in the garage and Calyx in her bedroom. Both children had been shot with a .38 revolver and were covered with blankets. Julie was found on the rear porch, unconscious and covered in blood.

Julie Schenecker later admitted to the police that she killed her children because they were "talked back and were mouthy." She described the details of the killings to the police. A note was reportedly found at the house, outlining a plan to murder her children and then commit suicide. According to the police report, Beau had been shot twice in the head while being driven home from soccer practice, and later, Julie shot Calyx as she was doing her homework in her bedroom.

Julie Schenecker was arrested at the scene. That same day, she was taken to a hospital for a medical condition. She was released the next day and then taken to jail, where she was held without bail. On February 9, 2011, a grand jury indicted her for first-degree murder. She pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on February 16, and her defense team indicated they would pursue an insanity defense.

Parker Schenecker, Julie's husband, filed for divorce in May 2011 and later initiated a civil lawsuit against her for wrongful death. The trial for Julie Schenecker began on April 28, 2014. She was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to two life terms in prison on May 15, 2014.