LOCATION
Rochester, Minnesota
TIME PERIOD
February 1988
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On February 18, 1988, in Rochester, Minnesota, David Francis Brom, then 16 years old, brutally murdered his parents, Bernard and Paulette Brom, along with his siblings, Diane (13) and Richard (11), using an axe following a late-night argument with his father. The bodies were discovered by Olmsted County sheriff's deputies after school officials reported that David had confessed to a classmate about the killings. Forensic evidence linked a blood-stained axe found in the basement to the murders. David Brom was apprehended on February 19, 1988, and, after a trial that considered his mental state, he was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder on October 16, 1989, receiving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. The case remains a significant example of juvenile crime and mental health considerations in the judicial system.
David Brom was rumored to have killed his family after an argument with his father, and witnesses reported that he confided in a friend about the murders before they were discovered. Some speculate that the argument may have stemmed from family tensions or issues related to adolescence. There are also theories suggesting that Brom's actions could have been influenced by psychological factors, potentially indicating a deeper mental health crisis.
The Tragic Case of David Brom: A Tale of Family and Fury
A Shocking Crime in Rochester
In the quiet town of Rochester, Minnesota, the calm of February 18, 1988, was shattered by a horrifying discovery. The Brom family home became the scene of a gruesome crime that left the community reeling. On that chilling evening, Olmsted County sheriff's deputies uncovered the bodies of Bernard Brom, 41, his wife Paulette, also 41, their daughter Diane, 13, and their son Richard, 11. Each had suffered fatal axe wounds to the head and upper body. Missing from this familial tableau of tragedy were the two eldest sons, David, 16, and Joe, 18.
The police were first alerted by the school administrators after students reported a disturbing rumor that David had confided to a peer he had killed his family that very morning. Responding to the call, officers discovered a blood-stained axe in the basement, which forensic analysis confirmed as the murder weapon.
David's Confession
Initially, authorities feared David had been abducted. However, a friend of his soon dispelled this theory by revealing a chilling conversation. She testified that on the morning of February 18, David had stopped her on her way to school and persuaded her to skip classes. During this encounter, David confessed to the murders, recounting the grim details of his actions. He described a heated argument with his father around 11:30 p.m. the night before, which festered until the early hours. At approximately 3 a.m., he executed his deadly plan. According to his account, David first attacked his father in the parents' bedroom. Despite repeated blows, his father continued to rise, prompting further attack. David then turned the axe on his mother and subsequently moved to his brother's room. Finally, he encountered his sister standing over their mother in the hallway and attacked them both.
Capture and Trial
David Brom's brief flight from justice ended on February 19, 1988. Authorities apprehended him while he was making a call from a pay phone near the local post office. Given David's age—only 16 at the time of the crime—his case was initially directed to juvenile court. However, due to the severity of the crime, it was transferred to the adult judicial system.
David's defense hinged on an insanity plea, sparking extensive debate over Minnesota's application of the M'Naghten Rules in assessing his mental state at the crime's time. Despite these arguments, on October 16, 1989, David Brom was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder. His sentence: three consecutive life terms and one concurrent, with a stipulated 52 years and six months to serve before parole eligibility.
A Twist of Fate
The legal landscape shifted dramatically in 2023 when Minnesota enacted a new law affecting juvenile life sentences. This legislative change reduced David's minimum term, making him immediately eligible for parole. In July 2025, David Brom was granted parole and released under a work-release program on July 29. Before his release, he was housed at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Lino Lakes.
Conclusion
The story of David Brom is a haunting reminder of the complexities of the human psyche and the enduring impact of family tragedy. His release marks the end of a long chapter, but the reverberations of that fateful February night in 1988 continue to echo in the halls of Rochester, Minnesota.
Sources
- State Minnesota v. David Francis Brom
- "Friend testifies Brom gave killing details," Rochester Post Bulletin, September 30, 1989.
- "Boy, 16, Charged in Ax Murders Of 4 in His Family in Minnesota," The New York Times, February 20, 1988.
- Lehman, Jeffrey; Phelps, Shirelle (2005). West's Encyclopedia of American Law, Vol. 7 (2nd ed.). Detroit: Thomson/Gale.
- "30 years passed since David Brom sentencing," krocnews, October 19, 2019.
- "Flashback Friday: Rochester teen who killed family with ax sentenced 30 years ago," KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, December 17, 2019.
- "Brom's aunt critical of sentencing decision," Rochester Post Bulletin, October 17, 1989.
- "When is convicted axe murderer David Brom eligible for parole?" Bring Me The News, March 8, 2018.
- "Corrections commissioner decides whether to parole four convicted murderers," MPR News, September 26, 2019.
- "Minnesota inmates sentenced to life as juveniles to become eligible for parole," kare11.com, June 28, 2023.
- "Convicted axe-murderer David Brom released from prison Tuesday on work release," kttc.com, July 29, 2025.
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Family Murdered
David Brom kills his parents, brother, and sister with an axe after an argument.
David Captured
David Brom is captured while using a pay phone near the local post office.
Conviction
David Brom is convicted of four counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
30 Years Since Sentencing
Marking 30 years since David Brom's sentencing for the murders.
Parole Eligibility
Minnesota law changes allow David Brom to be eligible for parole.
Released on Work Release
David Brom is released from prison under a work release program.
On February 18, 1988, in Rochester, Minnesota, David Francis Brom, then 16 years old, brutally murdered his parents, Bernard and Paulette Brom, along with his siblings, Diane (13) and Richard (11), using an axe following a late-night argument with his father. The bodies were discovered by Olmsted County sheriff's deputies after school officials reported that David had confessed to a classmate about the killings. Forensic evidence linked a blood-stained axe found in the basement to the murders. David Brom was apprehended on February 19, 1988, and, after a trial that considered his mental state, he was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder on October 16, 1989, receiving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. The case remains a significant example of juvenile crime and mental health considerations in the judicial system.
David Brom was rumored to have killed his family after an argument with his father, and witnesses reported that he confided in a friend about the murders before they were discovered. Some speculate that the argument may have stemmed from family tensions or issues related to adolescence. There are also theories suggesting that Brom's actions could have been influenced by psychological factors, potentially indicating a deeper mental health crisis.
The Tragic Case of David Brom: A Tale of Family and Fury
A Shocking Crime in Rochester
In the quiet town of Rochester, Minnesota, the calm of February 18, 1988, was shattered by a horrifying discovery. The Brom family home became the scene of a gruesome crime that left the community reeling. On that chilling evening, Olmsted County sheriff's deputies uncovered the bodies of Bernard Brom, 41, his wife Paulette, also 41, their daughter Diane, 13, and their son Richard, 11. Each had suffered fatal axe wounds to the head and upper body. Missing from this familial tableau of tragedy were the two eldest sons, David, 16, and Joe, 18.
The police were first alerted by the school administrators after students reported a disturbing rumor that David had confided to a peer he had killed his family that very morning. Responding to the call, officers discovered a blood-stained axe in the basement, which forensic analysis confirmed as the murder weapon.
David's Confession
Initially, authorities feared David had been abducted. However, a friend of his soon dispelled this theory by revealing a chilling conversation. She testified that on the morning of February 18, David had stopped her on her way to school and persuaded her to skip classes. During this encounter, David confessed to the murders, recounting the grim details of his actions. He described a heated argument with his father around 11:30 p.m. the night before, which festered until the early hours. At approximately 3 a.m., he executed his deadly plan. According to his account, David first attacked his father in the parents' bedroom. Despite repeated blows, his father continued to rise, prompting further attack. David then turned the axe on his mother and subsequently moved to his brother's room. Finally, he encountered his sister standing over their mother in the hallway and attacked them both.
Capture and Trial
David Brom's brief flight from justice ended on February 19, 1988. Authorities apprehended him while he was making a call from a pay phone near the local post office. Given David's age—only 16 at the time of the crime—his case was initially directed to juvenile court. However, due to the severity of the crime, it was transferred to the adult judicial system.
David's defense hinged on an insanity plea, sparking extensive debate over Minnesota's application of the M'Naghten Rules in assessing his mental state at the crime's time. Despite these arguments, on October 16, 1989, David Brom was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder. His sentence: three consecutive life terms and one concurrent, with a stipulated 52 years and six months to serve before parole eligibility.
A Twist of Fate
The legal landscape shifted dramatically in 2023 when Minnesota enacted a new law affecting juvenile life sentences. This legislative change reduced David's minimum term, making him immediately eligible for parole. In July 2025, David Brom was granted parole and released under a work-release program on July 29. Before his release, he was housed at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Lino Lakes.
Conclusion
The story of David Brom is a haunting reminder of the complexities of the human psyche and the enduring impact of family tragedy. His release marks the end of a long chapter, but the reverberations of that fateful February night in 1988 continue to echo in the halls of Rochester, Minnesota.
Sources
- State Minnesota v. David Francis Brom
- "Friend testifies Brom gave killing details," Rochester Post Bulletin, September 30, 1989.
- "Boy, 16, Charged in Ax Murders Of 4 in His Family in Minnesota," The New York Times, February 20, 1988.
- Lehman, Jeffrey; Phelps, Shirelle (2005). West's Encyclopedia of American Law, Vol. 7 (2nd ed.). Detroit: Thomson/Gale.
- "30 years passed since David Brom sentencing," krocnews, October 19, 2019.
- "Flashback Friday: Rochester teen who killed family with ax sentenced 30 years ago," KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, December 17, 2019.
- "Brom's aunt critical of sentencing decision," Rochester Post Bulletin, October 17, 1989.
- "When is convicted axe murderer David Brom eligible for parole?" Bring Me The News, March 8, 2018.
- "Corrections commissioner decides whether to parole four convicted murderers," MPR News, September 26, 2019.
- "Minnesota inmates sentenced to life as juveniles to become eligible for parole," kare11.com, June 28, 2023.
- "Convicted axe-murderer David Brom released from prison Tuesday on work release," kttc.com, July 29, 2025.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Family Murdered
David Brom kills his parents, brother, and sister with an axe after an argument.
David Captured
David Brom is captured while using a pay phone near the local post office.
Conviction
David Brom is convicted of four counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
30 Years Since Sentencing
Marking 30 years since David Brom's sentencing for the murders.
Parole Eligibility
Minnesota law changes allow David Brom to be eligible for parole.
Released on Work Release
David Brom is released from prison under a work release program.