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On July 22, 2015, Michael Bever, 16, and his brother, Robert Bever, 18, murdered their parents, sisters, 2 brothers, and attempted to kill another sister.
Family Background
The Bever family lived at 709 Magnolia Ct, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The family consisted of David Bever, 52; April Bever, 44; Robert Bever, 18 (at the time of the attack); Michael Bever, 15 (at the time of the attack); Daniel Bever, 12; Christopher Bever, 7; Victoria Bever, 5; Crystal Bever, 13 (at the time of the attack); and Autumn Bever, 2 (at the time of the attack). David Bever worked in the tech field while April homeschooled their children. Neighbors described the family to be reclusive, but friends remembered them differently. In an interview a friend of April’s recalled them driving in a snowstorm to bring her son a TV, since his television had stopped working, and stated that April had a big heart.
The Murders
According to court documents, a bit before 11:30pm on July 22, 2015, Crystal Bever had gone to Robert and Michael’s room to tell them to do the dishes. She recalled seeing them put on their body armor, and they had multiple knifes laid out on the bed. Crystal also heard Michael ask his brother, “Should we do it right now?” Robert replied “yes”. Michael then told Crystal to check something on his computer screen. As Michael distracted her, Robert slit his sister’s throat. Crystal fought back; but Robert was able to stab her multiple times as she ran out of the house. As she was running, she could hear her mother, April, screaming. Crystal was dragged back inside the house but could not remember by who. Though detectives believe that Michael dragged his sister back inside while Robert stabbed his mother. April was stabbed 48 times in the face, chest, abdomen, neck, and arms.
The brothers then turned their attention to their younger siblings, Christopher, and Victoria, who had hidden in the bathroom once they heard screaming. In an interrogation, Michael told detectives that he had tricked his siblings into opening the door; he told them Robert was going to kill him if they did not open it. Once they opened the door, they were both stabbed to death. In the same interrogation, Michael stated he stabbed his brother Christopher in the neck. Christopher endured 21 stab wounds to his back, chest, head, and neck; Victoria endures 23, spanning from her abdomen to her face. In pre-trial statements, Michael told detectives that he had stabbed both Victoria and Christopher, though Robert would later take credit for killing them.
Their next victim would be their younger brother, Daniel. Daniel had managed to call 911 and hide in his father’s office. Michael tricked him the same way he did his other siblings. He begged Daniel to open the door before Robert killed him. Daniel opened the door to hear Michael tell Robert, “He’s all yours”. Daniel was on the phone with the police still. Michael grabbed the phone from him and said “Hello”, which can heard in the 911 call. He then smashed the phone while Robert stabbed his younger brother 21 times in the stomach, chest, neck, and back.
David Bever had come out of his room, possibly due to the commotion going on. Robert stabbed him 28 times to his back, chest, and abdomen. Court documents do not specifically say at what point his sons attacked him. They murder all the members of their family, expect for Crystal and her younger sister, who was two years old at the time and slept through the attack.
The Arrest
After Robert and Michael murdered their family, they had headed for the woods behind their house. The police arrived on scene around 11:30pm. Once they saw the perpetrators were no longer in the house, they started searching the woods with the help of K9s. Robert and Michael were located and arrested. The K9s bit Michael before he was apprehended.
Robert and Michael were both arrested and charged with 5 counts of 1st Degree Murder and 1 count Aggravated Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon. No bail was given, and they were remanded.
The Plan
The brothers wanted to kill their family and then go on a cross-country killing spree. Their plan was to kill each member of their family silently and stealthily. Robert Bever had told the court that he had planned to decapitate his 2-year-old sister but had forgotten to. They had also planned to record the aftermath and upload it to YouTube.
After they murdered their family, they were going to clean up and dispose of the bodies. According to a Broken Arrow detective, they were going to cut the bodies into pieces. They would store the body parts in bins and place them in the attic. The plan was to do this quietly and then go on a killing spree.
They had ordered multiple guns to be delivered to a local gun store and 2,000 rounds of ammunition that were scheduled to arrive at the house the day after the murders. The boys were unable to pick up the guns, they needed
According to a Broken Arrow detective, they would then cut up the bodies, store them in bins in the attic, clean the house, and continue on their killing spree. Robert and Michael had a goal to kill 50 to 100 people between Oklahoma and Washington.
The Trail
Robert Bever had pled guilty on all charges. The judge sentenced him to serve life without parole for each of the 5 murder counts and received an additional life sentence for the assault and battery with a deadly weapon charge. It is believed he pled guilty to avoid the death penalty. He would testify during his brother’s trial, taking full blame for each murder.
Michael Bever entered a plea of not guilty and appealed the court’s decision to put him on trial as an adult. His lawyers also put in a motion to seal all information to the public, stating that they would be under public scrutiny. The court denied both motions.
While Michael was in jail, he kept a journal that was described to be “morbid and violent” by a deputy.
Michael was found guilty on all counts. Michael received 5 consecutive life sentences for each murder count and 28 years for the assault with a deadly weapon with the possibility of parole, after 85% of time is served. Michaels lawyers filed an appeal, stating that serving 5 consecutive life sentences was unconstitutional, and did not give their client a chance of getting out of prison. The appeal was denied.
Michael Bever is currently serving time in the Lexington Correctional Center.
Robert Bever is currently serving time in the Joseph Harp Correctional Center. While inside, he got both his hands tattooed. One saying LWOP X5 (Life Without Parole, 5 counts) and the other hand spells out FIVE.
Both sisters were adopted to the same home.
Aftermath
After the house remained empty for two years it was burned down. The city of Broken Arrow dedicated a park, Reflection Park, to the victims of the attack.
