Brenda Brown, 59, was found shot to death in September 2018 in the St. Louis County, Missouri, home she shared with her sister. The discovery initially prompted concern for Brenda’s sister, Sylvia Brown, who was first reported missing and possibly endangered; investigators later contacted Sylvia and named her the primary suspect.

Authorities say Sylvia, then 57, had been facing financial debt and allegedly planned Brenda’s murder to keep her from learning about those problems. Sylvia was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action and held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

In January 2021 Sylvia, then 60, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action and received 20 years for the murder with a concurrent three-year term for the weapons charge. Family members described the sisters’ lifelong friendship during the hearing and Sylvia expressed remorse.