A tragic story of betrayal and heartbreak unfolded in Fairbanks, Alaska, as a mother was sentenced to decades in prison for the suffocation deaths of her two baby daughters, years apart.
Stephany Elizabeth Bilecki, now 30, admitted in July to killing her daughters—4-month-old Chyanne in 2015 and 13-month-old Jasmine in 2017. She pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, avoiding more severe charges in a plea deal. On Monday, a judge sentenced her to 130 years in prison, with 85 of those years suspended, meaning she’ll serve 45 years behind bars.
The sentencing followed years of legal proceedings. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped additional charges, including first-degree murder. “The mandatory minimum for both counts is 20 years because these were her children,” explained Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Crail.
The horrifying events began in September 2015, when Bilecki called her boyfriend and mother to deliver devastating news—her baby Chyanne was dead. Ten minutes later, she called 911. At first, the little girl’s death was thought to be from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But later, an investigation revealed injuries consistent with strangulation.
Two years later, in November 2017, tragedy struck again. This time, while her husband was deployed, Bilecki called her in-laws to report that Jasmine wasn’t breathing. Just like before, she called 911 moments before help arrived.
But investigators quickly grew suspicious. Before calling for help, Bilecki had used her phone to search phrases like “ways to suffocate,” “how to kill someone without getting caught,” and “can drowning be detected in an autopsy.” Days later, Jasmine died from lack of oxygen, according to an autopsy.
The death prompted a closer look at Chyanne’s case. Authorities reopened the 2015 investigation, connecting the dots and leading to Bilecki’s arrest in 2018. A Fairbanks grand jury indicted her, and the case has haunted the community ever since.
“Think about a mother killing both her children over two years, completely separate incidents. It’s horrifying,” said then-Fairbanks Police Chief Eric Jewkes when Bilecki was charged.
In court this summer, Bilecki barely spoke as she admitted her guilt. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Patricia Haines handed down her sentence—65 years for each murder, with some time suspended. Once released, she’ll be on probation for up to 10 years and barred from being alone with minors under 16 in private settings.
“This case shocks the conscience,” said Fairbanks District Attorney Joe Dallaire. “While nothing can bring back these precious lives, we hope the convictions and sentencing bring some sense of justice to the families and the Fairbanks community.”
The story of Chyanne and Jasmine is a heartbreaking reminder of the evil that can exist in unexpected places. Their fathers and loved ones now face the task of healing, even as justice takes its course.
