Nicholas Waggoner Browning was born on February 9, 1992, in Maryland. He grew up in the suburb of Cockeysville, which is near Baltimore. Nicholas was the oldest child in his family. His father, John W. Browning, worked as an attorney, and his mother, Tamara, was a homemaker. He had two younger brothers named Benjamin and Gregory.

In school, Nicholas was considered an honor student. He was actively involved in various activities, including being a Boy Scout. He attended Dulaney High School in Timonium. There, he played on the varsity golf and lacrosse teams. Nicholas had a reputation for being good at his studies and sports.

As he grew up, the Browning family seemed to lead a normal life. However, like many families, they faced challenges. Nicholas lived with his parents and two brothers, sharing experiences typical of many children. His life, before becoming a teenager, was focused on school, family, and friends.

On the evening of February 1, 2008, Nicholas Waggoner Browning, who was almost 16 years old, left his friend's house in the middle of the night to return home. Once he got home, he entered his house while his family members were asleep. He shot each of them with a gun that belonged to his father. The victims were his mother, father, and two younger brothers.

Nicholas confessed to the murders two days later, on February 3, 2008. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder. At a hearing following his confession, he was denied bail.

In January 2009, Nicholas agreed to a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to the four murder charges. The prosecution argued that he committed the murders to avoid following rules set by his parents and to keep his inheritance. He was sentenced to four life sentences in prison, with two of them to be served consecutively. Nicholas is currently incarcerated at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland. He may become eligible for parole in 2031 if he exhibits good behavior. In 2014, he was denied a request for a sentence reduction.