Bio

Steven Spader was born in November 1991 and was adopted when he was just five days old. He grew up in a stable family environment. His parents, Steven and Christine Spader, cared for him and tried to provide him with a normal life. They also sought help when he started to face difficulties as a teenager.

During his childhood, Spader participated in activities like Boy Scouts. However, as he entered his teenage years, he began to struggle academically and eventually dropped out of high school. He later earned a General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

Around the time he was 17, Spader formed a group called "The Disciples of Destruction." He created a logo for the group and recruited friends to join him. Spader described the home invasion he planned as a rite of initiation for the members of his group. He had a reputation for being troubled, and his behavior raised concerns among those around him, but no one anticipated he would become a murderer.

Murder Story

On October 4, 2009, 17-year-old Steven Spader, along with Christopher Gribble, committed a violent crime in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire. They broke into the home of Kimberly Cates. Inside, they attacked Kimberly and her 11-year-old daughter, Jaimie. Spader used a machete to deliver 36 blows to Kimberly, resulting in her death. Jaimie suffered severe injuries during this attack but managed to call for help by pretending to be dead.

The following day, authorities arrested Spader. He was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, among other offenses. During the trial, evidence included Spader's boastful statements about the crime made to friends and letters he wrote while in jail. He described his actions in gruesome detail, showing no remorse for the suffering he caused. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 76 years for his other crimes.

The case attracted much public attention and led to a legal review regarding the sentencing of minors. In 2013, the New Hampshire Supreme Court upheld Spader's sentence, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision that affected how minors could be sentenced. In April 2013, Spader stated he did not want a reduction in his sentence, reflecting his acceptance of his situation.

Spader was moved to a New Jersey prison in 2014 after being involved in a prison fight. His crime remaining a focal point for discussions about youth violence and legal consequences, the murder also changed legislation in New Hampshire, expanding the death penalty to include home invasion cases.