As of March 2025, Texas’s death row houses seven women, each convicted of heinous crimes that have led to their capital sentences. While the majority of death row inmates are male, these cases highlight the severity of offenses committed by women in the state. Here is an in-depth look at these seven individuals and the crimes that led to their death row sentences.
1. Melissa Lucio
Melissa Lucio, from Cameron County, was convicted in 2008 for the death of her two-year-old daughter, Mariah Alvarez. Emergency personnel found Mariah unresponsive at their residence, and Lucio claimed the child had fallen down the stairs. However, investigations revealed signs of abuse, leading to Lucio’s conviction for capital murder.
In recent developments, significant new evidence has emerged suggesting Mariah’s death was accidental, leading a judge to recommend overturning Lucio’s conviction. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will decide whether to accept this recommendation.
2. Linda Carty
Linda Carty, a former schoolteacher from Harris County, was sentenced to death in 2002. She was found guilty of orchestrating the abduction and murder of 25-year-old Joana Rodriguez to steal her newborn son. Carty and her accomplices kidnapped Rodriguez and her infant; Rodriguez was later found suffocated, though the baby was unharmed.
Carty has maintained her innocence, but her appeals have been unsuccessful.
3. Brittany Holberg
Brittany Holberg was convicted in 1998 for the brutal murder of 80-year-old A.B. Towery Sr. in Randall County. Holberg, a former waitress, stabbed Towery over 60 times during a robbery at his home. The crime was noted for its extreme violence, leading to her death sentence.
Holberg has appealed her sentence multiple times, citing ineffective counsel and mental health issues, but remains on death row.
4. Darlie Routier
Darlie Routier, from Dallas County, was convicted in 1997 for the murder of her five-year-old son, Damon. In 1996, Routier reported a home invasion, claiming an intruder attacked her and her two sons. However, evidence pointed to Routier herself, leading to her conviction for Damon’s murder.
Routier has consistently maintained her innocence, and her case has been the subject of ongoing legal battles and public debate.
5. Erica Sheppard
Erica Sheppard was sentenced to death in 1995 for the murder of Marilyn Sage Meagher in Houston. Sheppard and her accomplice planned to rob Meagher, resulting in Meagher’s fatal stabbing. The brutality of the crime led to Sheppard’s death sentence.
Sheppard has filed numerous appeals, citing inadequate legal representation and challenging the fairness of her trial, but her sentence remains unchanged.
6. Kimberly Cargill
Kimberly Cargill, from Smith County, was convicted in 2012 for the murder of her son’s babysitter, Cherry Walker. Cargill killed Walker to prevent her from testifying in a child custody hearing. Walker, who had special needs, was found dead on the side of a road, having been strangled and set on fire.
Cargill’s appeals have been denied, and she remains on death row.
7. Taylor Parker
Taylor Parker, the most recent addition to Texas’s death row, was convicted in 2022 for the murder of 21-year-old Reagan Hancock and the abduction of Hancock’s unborn child. In October 2020, Parker attacked Hancock in her New Boston home, removing the baby from her womb. The infant did not survive.
Parker’s crime was particularly heinous, involving meticulous planning and deception, leading to her death sentence.
Conclusion
These seven women represent a small fraction of Texas’s death row population but highlight the severity of crimes that can lead to capital punishment, regardless of gender. Their cases continue to evoke discussions about the death penalty, legal representation, and the complexities of the criminal justice system.