Brenda “Bing” Powell, 50, was a dedicated child life specialist at Akron Children’s Hospital, beloved by patients and colleagues alike for her compassion and commitment over 28 years. She and her husband, Stephen Powell, raised their two children, Sydney and Andrew, in a supportive home in Ohio. Sydney, 19, seemed destined for success.

A graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, she was an honor student, captain of the football team, well-liked, and described as bright and cheerful. She earned a scholarship to the prestigious University of Mount Union, embarking on her college journey in 2018 with excitement, moving into a dorm two hours away from home with her best friend, Lara.

However, the pressures and distractions of college life soon took a toll. By August 2019, Sydney’s focus shifted away from academics. She became heavily involved in extracurricular organizations, neglected her studies, missed classes, and failed to submit projects. Her grades plummeted, landing her on academic probation.

Crucially, Sydney hid this mounting academic crisis from her parents. By December 2019, her grades failed to improve, and the university formally dismissed her. She was given paperwork to sign for potential re-enrollment but never returned it. Despite her dismissal, Sydney continued to pretend she was a student, attending classes, going to meetings, and socializing on campus.

University administrators noticed her continued presence and called her in, offering to help her inform her parents. Sydney falsely claimed her parents already knew and were dealing with other family issues. She requested an extension to stay in her dorm, citing her parents being on vacation. The university, bound by regulations, eventually forced her to leave the dorm on February 24, 2020.

Instead of going home, Sydney checked into a nearby hotel, using money her parents believed was for tuition and living expenses. Banned from campus, her world began to shrink. The weight of her deception and the fear of her parents discovering the truth became immense. She reportedly felt like a failure, comparing herself unfavorably to successful peers and dreading her parents’ inevitable disappointment.

The unraveling began in January 2020 when Stephen Powell tried to access the university’s online portal to pay Sydney’s tuition. He found her account inaccessible. Sydney claimed she would resolve the issue with university staff. A month later, the problem persisted. Concerned about late fees, Stephen called the university directly on March 3, 2020.

He was stunned to learn the reason he couldn’t access the account: Sydney was no longer enrolled. The university couldn’t disclose the reason for her dismissal, advising him to speak with his daughter. Before confronting Sydney, Stephen informed Bing, who was deeply disappointed by the news of her daughter’s dismissal and deception.

Using a phone tracker, Stephen saw Sydney was already at their home. He drove back from work around 11 a.m. to speak with her. Sydney admitted everything, explaining her loss of motivation, feelings of inadequacy, and envy towards peers who seemed to have clearer paths. Stephen listened empathetically, reassuring her they could fix the situation but emphasizing she needed to talk to her mother.

Stephen returned to work, texting Bing that he was on her way home to speak with Sydney. Bing arrived home around 12:41 p.m. Before entering, she was on the phone with Michelle Andi, a university administrator, seeking clarification about Sydney’s situation. Sydney overheard the call.

According to the prosecution’s case, fearing the full extent of her deception would be revealed, Sydney allegedly panicked. She ran to the kitchen, grabbed a frying pan and a steak knife. Moments after Bing entered the house and continued her call, Sydney attacked her mother, first striking her with the pan, then stabbing her repeatedly.

Michelle Andi, still on the line, heard Bing scream Sydney’s name, followed by sounds of a struggle, a loud thud, and then silence before the call disconnected. Alarmed, Michelle tried calling back twice with no answer. She quickly found the Powell’s address. On her third attempt, someone answered, but the voice wasn’t Bing’s. Michelle suspected it was Sydney impersonating her mother. When Michelle called her out, the person hung up.

Michelle immediately called 911. Police arrived to find a chaotic scene—overturned furniture, broken glass, bloodstains. They found Sydney, seemingly dazed and unresponsive. They also found Bing Powell, lifeless. Sydney initially told her father and police a fabricated story: while she and her mother were talking, an armed intruder broke in and attacked Bing. She claimed her mother told her to run for help, and upon returning, found Bing deceased.

However, investigators quickly noted inconsistencies. Sydney had blood on her hands and minor injuries inconsistent with escaping an attack. A window was broken, but the glass pattern indicated it was smashed from the inside, suggesting a staged break-in. Believing Sydney was the perpetrator, police arrested her that same day.

Bing Powell had sustained approximately 30 blunt force trauma injuries and nearly 30 stab wounds. Sydney was charged with murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence. Weeks later, her maternal grandmother, Betty, posted her $225,000 bail, and Sydney went to live with her.

The trial commenced in September 2023, nearly three years after the incident. Sydney pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense argued she suffered a psychotic break due to the immense stress and pressure, had no motive, and lacked control over her actions. Her father, Stephen, and grandmother, Betty, supported this claim, testifying about her mental state and lack of violent history.

The prosecution countered that Sydney’s actions demonstrated clear consciousness of guilt: staging the crime scene and impersonating her mother on the phone. Michelle Andi testified about the horrifying final moments she overheard. While two defense expert doctors diagnosed Sydney with a mental disorder impairing her judgment at the time, a prosecution expert disagreed, stating Sydney understood the wrongfulness of her actions and was likely feigning symptoms.

On September 20, 2023, the jury found Sydney Powell guilty on all counts. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. The tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of immense pressure, deception, and untreated mental health struggles, leaving a family shattered by an unthinkable act of violence.