Casepin
Back to cases

Case file

Broken Arrow murders

SOLVED2015709 Magnolia Court, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026

Documents violence · domestic violence · crimes against children · suicide — written to inform, not to shock.

Illustrative

On the night of July 22, 2015, at 709 Magnolia Court in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, David and April Bever and three of their children were stabbed to death in a familicide and mass stabbing carried out by two of their older sons, 18-year-old Robert Bever and 16-year-old Michael Bever. A fourth sibling, 13-year-old Crystal Bever, survived critical injuries, and 2-year-old Autumn Bever, age 2, was found unharmed. Twelve-year-old Daniel Bever called 911 to report an attack, which helped save Autumn and Crystal, but he was killed by the assailants during the call.

Police arriving at the scene found blood near the porch and, after forcing entry, discovered Crystal bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Daniel and four other family members were found dead inside. Crystal identified two of her older brothers as the attackers, describing being lured to a bedroom, having her throat slit, and being stabbed in the stomach and arms. A medical examiner determined all five deceased victims died from multiple sharp-force injuries, with wound counts ranging from 21 to more than 48 across the victims.

Robert and Michael Bever fled into a wooded area behind the home and were apprehended within about 45 minutes with the assistance of a K9 unit; Robert was found armed with a knife. Investigators later recovered a flash drive, computer equipment, and surveillance cameras from the home. According to statements attributed to Robert Bever, the brothers had planned the familicide for some time and intended afterward to carry out a broader shooting spree, aiming for a body count they hoped would surpass the Columbine and Aurora attacks; they also allegedly planned to dismember the family's bodies and record video for both investigators and online distribution. Defense attorneys presented testimony, including from Crystal, alleging that the father had been physically and verbally abusive toward the children.

Both brothers were charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault and battery with intent to kill; Michael was charged as an adult. Robert Bever pleaded guilty to all counts and, on September 7, 2016, was sentenced to life without parole. Michael Bever went to trial beginning April 16, 2018, was found guilty on May 9, 2018, and on August 9, 2018, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 225 years. In 2019, Robert Bever was involved in an attack on prison officers, resulting in an additional sentencing in November 2020 that brought his total to nine life terms. The Bever family home was later destroyed by fire in March 2017, and the site was dedicated as Reflection Park in March 2019.

Key facts

Victims
Christopher Bever, Victoria Bever, April Bever, Crystal Bever, David Bever, Daniel Bever
Date
2015
Location
709 Magnolia Court, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2015-07-22

    Robert and Michael Bever attack their family at 709 Magnolia Court, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Daniel Bever calls 911 before being killed.

  2. 2015-07-22

    Police arrive, find Crystal Bever critically injured and five family members dead; the two brothers flee and are apprehended near the home.

  3. 2015-07-25

    Authorities announce Michael Bever will be charged as an adult.

  4. 2015-08-03

    Robert and Michael Bever are arraigned and plead not guilty.

  5. 2015-08-05

    A Tulsa County judge rules that case documents be made public; released the next day, redacted.

  6. 2016-06-17

    Robert Bever attempts suicide by hanging while in detention, according to a sheriff's office spokeswoman.

  7. 2016-09-07

    Robert Bever pleads guilty to all counts and is sentenced to life without parole, plus an additional life term.

  8. 2018-04-16

    Michael Bever's trial begins.

  9. 2018-05-09

    Michael Bever is found guilty.

  10. 2018-08-09

    Michael Bever is sentenced to five life sentences with parole possibility after 225 years.

  11. 2017-03-18

    The Bever family home is destroyed in a fire.

  12. 2019-03-27

    Reflection Park is dedicated at the site of the former Bever family home.

  13. 2019-07-15

    Robert Bever attempts to attack two prison officers at Joseph Harp Correctional Center.

  14. 2020-11-17

    Robert Bever is sentenced to three more life terms, bringing his total to nine.

Best coverage

No approved coverage links are attached yet.

People

  • Christopher Bever

    VICTIM

    Son, age 7; killed by stab wounds.

    citation on file

  • Victoria Bever

    VICTIM

    Daughter, age 5; killed by stab wounds.

    citation on file

  • Michael Bever

    CONVICTED

    Second-eldest son, charged as an adult; found guilty and sentenced to life with possibility of parole after 225 years.

    citation on file

  • April Bever

    VICTIM

    Mother, age 44; killed by blunt-force trauma and stab wounds.

    citation on file

  • Robert Bever

    CONVICTED

    Eldest son; pleaded guilty to all counts and sentenced to life without parole plus additional terms.

    citation on file

  • Crystal Bever

    VICTIM

    Daughter, age 13; survived critical stab wounds and identified the assailants.

    citation on file

  • David Bever

    VICTIM

    Father, age 52; killed by stab wounds.

    citation on file

  • Daniel Bever

    VICTIM

    Son, age 12; killed after calling 911 to report the attack.

    citation on file

Places

709 Magnolia Court, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

35.9695, -95.7911

View on the map

Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On July 22, 2015, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Robert and Michael Bever murdered their parents and three of their younger siblings and attempted to murder another sister, in what became known as the Broken Arrow (Bever family) murders.
Where did the murders happen?
709 Magnolia Court, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Who was convicted?
Michael Bever (Second-eldest son, charged as an adult; found guilty and sentenced to life with possibility of parole after 225 years.) and Robert Bever (Eldest son; pleaded guilty to all counts and sentenced to life without parole plus additional terms.).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.

Sources

  1. Broken Arrow murderswikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. Contemporaneous coverage — Associated Pressnews · Associated Press · 2026-07-07
  3. Contemporaneous coverage — CBS Newsnews · CBS News · 2026-07-07
More cases in Oklahoma