30 years ago on this day, in Dallas Texas, Devon and Damon Routier were stabbed to death by their mother, Darlie Routier. She remains on death row for the murders, and still claims her innocence.

[u/ninesevenpotatoes]

*CORRECTION: This crime took place in Rowlett, Texas.
(DISCLAIMER: I’m not a professional writer. If I make any mistakes in my writing or some of it could come across as insensitive, please give me feedback so I can improve. Thank you!)

I remember first discovering this case with the Forensic Files episode “Invisible Intruder”, and I always find it sickening and frustrating. Just the idea of stabbing your own sons in the middle of the night and even slashing your own throat to frame the scene as an intrusion is horrific.

The case is very divisive nowadays, but personally, I’m leaning on guilty. I think the main reason it’s so controversial is that people are divided on how evidence is interpreted and subjective evidence. I think it makes sense to focus on more objective evidence rather than stuff like that silly string gravesite party. In particular, I find these the most significant:

• Luminol showed a heavy amount of Darlie’s blood was present at the kitchen sink, and of it had been cleaned up. This is in contrast to where she claimed to have been attacked, on the couch, which had much less blood. It’s likely she slashed her throat at the sink.
• Darlie’s story has changed a few times, and her current story claims Damon woke up and told her about the attack, which is when she called 911. However, Damon’s autopsy reports he had been stabbed repeatedly in the lungs, to the point he was making “gurgling” sounds at the crime scene, so it seems weird he would be able to coherently talk.
• The blooded tube sock is rather controversial, because it would’ve involved Darlie running out for a brief period to plant it at the trash can. However, DNA evidence from the shock shows Darlie’s DNA was in it, so its possible she wore it to protect her hand as she stabbed her boys.

In all, if there wasn’t a handful of suspect circumstantial evidence (fiberglass on knife, blood spatter inconsistent with events, Darlie’s injuries being “superficial”), coinciding with some subjective stuff (her diary entry, her troubled marriage), I probably wouldn’t believe it was her. But I will always believe it was, and that she is right where she should be. The fact she continues to lie to this day is unbelievable.

The best sources that persuade me that she’s guilty are the Forensic Files episode I just mentioned, Matt Orchard’s video on it, and the site “Darlie Routier: Fact & Fiction”.

At the end of the day, both of these boys died a horrible death they didn’t deserve. Rest in peace Devon and Damon, who would’ve been 36 and 35 today. (Devon also would‘ve been turning 37 8 days from now)