The Broken Arrow Tragedy: A Family's Nightmare

Introduction

On the night of July 22, 2015, the quiet suburban community of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was shaken to its core by a horrific familicide that would forever scar its landscape. The Bever family, seemingly ordinary and withdrawn, became the center of a tragedy when two of its own, Robert and Michael Bever, turned their home into a crime scene of unspeakable violence.

The Perpetrators

Robert Davis Bever, born September 17, 1996, and his younger brother Michael John Bever, born November 4, 1998, were homeschooled siblings from Broken Arrow. Known as the Bever brothers, they were described by neighbors as isolated, with their family maintaining a low profile. The brothers harbored dark ambitions of infamy, aspiring to surpass notorious mass murders like the Columbine High School massacre and the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. Their plan extended beyond the confines of their home, as they envisioned a killing spree that would ultimately claim the lives of fifty or more individuals, fueled by their fascination with serial killers.

The Family's Isolation

The Bever household was one of secrecy and seclusion. Neighbors rarely saw the children, who were homeschooled and kept away from the outside world by their parents. It was only after the tragic events that many in the community learned the full names of the Bever family members. Defense attorneys later revealed allegations of abuse within the household, with Crystal Bever, one of the surviving siblings, testifying about her father David Bever's physical and verbal abuse.

The Grisly Plan

Robert and Michael Bever meticulously plotted their attack for months. They amassed a collection of weapons, including knives, a hatchet, darts, and a surgical blade, which they planned to use not only on their family but also in a broader killing spree. Robert secured employment at a religious call center, using his earnings to purchase body armor, helmets, and ammunition. Their deadly arsenal was intended to facilitate a massacre and fulfill their twisted vision of notoriety.

The Night of Terror

The nightmare unfolded on July 22, 2015, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Twelve-year-old Daniel Bever made a desperate 9-1-1 call, his voice trembling with fear as he reported an attack by his brother. The call was abruptly cut off, but the dispatcher traced the call to 709 Magnolia Court. When officers arrived, they found blood on the porch and forced their way inside, following a faint cry for help.

Inside, they discovered 13-year-old Crystal Bever, grievously injured but alive, and quickly pulled her to safety. The scene inside the home was one of horror: the bodies of Daniel, 12, Christopher, 7, Victoria, 5, and their parents, David and April, all lay lifeless, victims of a brutal stabbing frenzy. Each had suffered multiple sharp force injuries, with autopsies revealing the extent of their gruesome deaths.

The Aftermath and Arrest

The Bever brothers fled into the woods behind their home but were quickly apprehended by police with the aid of a K9 unit. Found hiding under a bush, Robert and Michael were arrested without incident. Robert, armed with a knife at the time, spontaneously revealed that their plans were stored on a flash drive hidden inside the house. This evidence, along with computer equipment and video surveillance footage, underscored the chilling premeditation behind their actions.

Legal Proceedings

The brothers faced five counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault and battery with intent to kill. Despite their youth, both were tried as adults, with the Tulsa County District Attorney confirming that Michael, being under 16, was exempt from the death penalty. On September 7, 2016, Robert Bever pleaded guilty, receiving five life sentences without parole. Michael was found guilty on May 9, 2018, and subsequently sentenced to life without parole.

The Bever Family Home

The Bever family home, once a site of unspeakable violence, became a symbol of tragedy. It stood vacant, a haunted reminder of the horrors within. In March 2017, the house was destroyed by fire, paving the way for a memorial park dedicated to the victims and first responders. Reflection Park now stands as a place of remembrance and healing.

The Brothers' Fate

Today, Robert Bever serves his sentence at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, while Michael resides in the Lexington Correctional Center. The brothers, who never showed remorse, remain incarcerated, their dark ambitions thwarted, but not forgotten.

In Popular Culture

The Broken Arrow murders have been featured in various true crime series, including "Killer Siblings: Bever" on Oxygen TV and HLN's "Lies, Crimes & Video," ensuring that the Bever brothers' infamous actions continue to be examined and discussed.

Sources

For more in-depth information, visit the original Wikipedia article: Broken Arrow murders.