Steven Wayne Benson was born on July 26, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the son of Margaret Benson and Edward Benson. His family had a connection to a successful tobacco business. Margaret Benson was the heiress of the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company in Pennsylvania. This company was known for producing high-quality tobacco products.

On July 9, 1985, Steven Wayne Benson caused an explosion in a car that resulted in the deaths of his mother, Margaret Benson, and his nephew, Scott Benson. The car was a Chevrolet Suburban, and inside were Margaret, Scott, and Benson's sister, Carol Lynn Benson Kendall. Carol survived the blast but suffered severe burns. Steven was charged and later convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of Margaret and Scott, as well as attempted murder and arson.

Benson received a sentence of two life terms in prison. He was moved between various prisons due to ongoing threats and abuse from other inmates. Over the years, he faced difficulties adjusting to the prison environment.

On July 3, 2015, Benson died from a stab wound inflicted by another inmate named Cordell Washington at the Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry, Florida. This feud between Benson and Washington had been ongoing since at least 2012. Reports indicated that Washington attempted to extort money from Benson. When Benson refused to cooperate, Washington, along with another inmate named Marvin Taylor, attacked him. Washington was charged with Benson’s murder but was later acquitted of the charges.