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Murders of Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie

SOLVED2006New Bloomfield, Missouri, United States3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On December 23, 2006, Sarah Bonnie (25) and her husband Benjamin Bonnie (28) were shot to death inside their home in New Bloomfield, Missouri. Earlier that day, the couple had been contacted by Sarah's cousin, Brian Joseph Dorsey, then 34, who told them he owed money to drug dealers who were searching for him. The couple went to Dorsey's apartment and, with the help of friends, brought him to their home, allowing him to stay there for safety.

According to the account of events, at some point during the night the Bonnies went to sleep. Dorsey took a single-shot shotgun from the couple's garage and fatally shot Sarah and Benjamin. He then sexually assaulted Sarah's body, poured bleach on her body, and took valuables from the house. The couple's four-year-old daughter, Jade, was in the home but was not harmed. She was found alone in the living room the next afternoon by Sarah's parents, who had come to check on the family after they failed to arrive at a Christmas gathering. After finding the bedroom door locked and breaking it down, Sarah's parents discovered the bodies.

Three days later, Dorsey surrendered to police and confessed to the killings. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. On March 10, 2008, he pleaded guilty to both counts. A Boone County jury convened for sentencing on August 28, 2008; despite testimony from Dorsey and his family describing his history of depression and past suicide attempts, and his claim that he could not remember the shooting due to drug use, the jury unanimously recommended two death sentences. On November 10, 2008, Circuit Judge Gene Hamilton formally sentenced Dorsey to death on both counts.

Dorsey pursued a series of appeals over the following years, including challenges before the Missouri Supreme Court and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. His execution date was ultimately set for April 9, 2024, after the Missouri Supreme Court approved a death warrant in December 2023.

In the lead-up to his execution, a clemency campaign drew support from more than 70 correctional staff, anti-death penalty advocates, a former judge involved in his case, and several former jurors, citing Dorsey's conduct and rehabilitation in prison. However, family members of both Sarah Bonnie and Dorsey publicly opposed clemency, citing the impact of the murders on the couple's orphaned daughter. Missouri Governor Mike Parson denied clemency on April 8, 2024, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene. Dorsey was executed by lethal injection on April 9, 2024, at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, 18 years after the murders. In his final statement, he expressed remorse for the killings.

Key facts

Victims
Sarah Ann Bonnie, Benjamin Wade Bonnie
Date
2006
Location
New Bloomfield, Missouri, United States
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2006-12-23

    Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie are shot and killed inside their home in New Bloomfield, Missouri, by Sarah's cousin, Brian Dorsey.

  2. 2006-12-24

    Sarah's parents discover the bodies of the couple after finding their granddaughter alone in the home.

  3. 2006-12-26

    Brian Dorsey surrenders to police and confesses to the killings.

  4. 2008-03-10

    Dorsey pleads guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.

  5. 2008-08-28

    A Boone County jury unanimously recommends two death sentences for Dorsey.

  6. 2008-11-10

    Circuit Judge Gene Hamilton formally sentences Dorsey to death.

  7. 2010-07-16

    The Missouri Supreme Court rejects Dorsey's appeal against the trial verdict.

  8. 2014-11-12

    The Missouri Supreme Court rejects a further appeal by Dorsey challenging his death sentences and DNA evidence.

  9. 2022-04-07

    The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejects Dorsey's appeal alleging ineffective legal counsel.

  10. 2023-02-22

    Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announces he will seek an execution date for Dorsey.

  11. 2023-12-13

    The Missouri Supreme Court approves Dorsey's death warrant, scheduling execution for April 9, 2024.

  12. 2024-03-21

    The Missouri Supreme Court refuses to grant a stay of execution.

  13. 2024-04-08

    Governor Mike Parson rejects Dorsey's clemency petition.

  14. 2024-04-09

    The U.S. Supreme Court declines to halt the execution; Brian Dorsey is executed by lethal injection.

Best coverage

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People

  • Gene Hamilton

    LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Circuit Judge who formally sentenced Dorsey to death on November 10, 2008.

  • Andrew Bailey

    LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Missouri Attorney General who petitioned the Missouri Supreme Court to schedule Dorsey's execution date.

  • Mike Parson

    LAW ENFORCEMENT

    Governor of Missouri who rejected Dorsey's clemency petition and allowed the execution to proceed.

  • Sarah Ann Bonnie

    VICTIM

    Killed on December 23, 2006, in her home in New Bloomfield, Missouri.

  • Benjamin Wade Bonnie

    VICTIM

    Killed on December 23, 2006, in his home in New Bloomfield, Missouri.

  • Brian Joseph Dorsey

    CONVICTED

    Pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in 2008 for killing Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie; sentenced to death and executed on April 9, 2024.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

New Bloomfield, Missouri, United States

38.7887, -92.1721

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On December 23, 2006, Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie were fatally shot in their New Bloomfield, Missouri home by Sarah's cousin, Brian Dorsey, whom they had taken in to help him evade drug dealers. Dorsey was convicted and sentenced to death, and was executed in April 2024.
Where did the murders happen?
New Bloomfield, Missouri, United States.
Who was convicted?
Brian Joseph Dorsey (Pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in 2008 for killing Benjamin and Sarah Bonnie; sentenced to death and executed on April 9, 2024.).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Missouri

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICMurders of Benjamin and Sarah BonnieWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSMissouri court rejects appeal in 2006 killingsAssociated Press · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSMissouri governor faces pressure over Brian Dorsey death penalty caseThe Guardian · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 10, 2026