Vincent Edward Brothers was born on May 31, 1962, in Bellport, New York. He grew up in a family that faced challenges. Little information is available about his early childhood and family background. As a young man, Vincent attended Norfolk State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree. He later pursued further studies and obtained a master's degree in education from California State University, Bakersfield.

Vincent’s career in education began after he completed his studies. He worked as a vice principal at John C. Fremont Elementary School in Bakersfield, California. He was involved in the local community and was considered a respected figure in his professional life.

Vincent married Joanie Harper in 2000. Their marriage faced difficulties, and they annulled it in 2001 due to issues related to fidelity. Despite these problems, they remarried in January 2003 when Joanie was pregnant with their third child. They had two other children, a daughter named Lyndsey, who was two years old, and a son named Marques, who was four.

In April 2003, Vincent moved out of the family home, creating further tension in his marriage. Joanie was a dedicated mother and also worked as a division one basketball official. Her own mother, Earnestine Harper, was a civil rights activist and had a strong presence in the community.

On July 6, 2003, Vincent Edward Brothers murdered his wife, Joanie Harper, their three children, Marques, Marshall, and Lyndsey, and Joanie's mother, Earnestine Harper, in Bakersfield, California. They were last seen at church on that Sunday. Their bodies were discovered two days later on July 8, shot to death. The scene suggested a staged break-in.

Before the murders, Brothers had taken a trip to Columbus, Ohio, under the pretense of visiting his brother. He rented a car and drove about 2,000 miles to Bakersfield to commit the crime. Afterward, he returned to Ohio. He turned himself in to police in North Carolina but was released due to lack of evidence. He returned to Los Angeles on July 11 but did not attend the memorial service for his family, although he was present at their funeral on July 16.

Brothers became the main suspect early on. He was not arrested until April 2004. The evidence against him included the dead insects found in the rental car and the odometer readings that indicated he had driven to California. During his trial, which began in 2007, prosecutors highlighted his troubled marriage and financial motives for the murders.

Brothers was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder on May 15, 2007, following testimony from 137 witnesses. He was believed to have used a .22-caliber gun and a stabbing weapon. The jury found him guilty of multiple murders and sentenced him to death on May 29, 2007.

On September 27, 2007, a Superior Court Judge officially sentenced Brothers to death, ordering him to pay restitution. He was taken into custody by the California Department of Corrections and placed on death row at San Quentin State Prison. His actions and the trial made headlines as one of the most notable criminal cases in Bakersfield's history.