Murder Victim: Maria was a 7 year old girl who was murdered by her stepfather, William Kepple.
At a early age, Maria was fostered. But even so, was a happy little girl.
Her life changed when she returned to live with her biological mother, Pauline in Brighton, England.
Maria found out when she returned to her mother that she was no longer with her father, but married to another man, William Kepple. This would be Maria's new stepfather.
Though Kepple had children of his own, he never cared for them or favored them. There was many times when he would go out to get ice cream for him and Maria's mother, and he would make Maria and his own children watch them eat it.
Soon, Maria's teachers and other adults noticed how sick and thin Maria looked saying she looked like "almost a walking skeleton."
The abuse ended on January 6, 1973 when Maria was brought to the hospital unconsious with severe internal injuries including brain damage. She died shortly after arriving.
Surprisingly, Maria's stepdad was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years in prison, but it was cut short by only half of that on appeal.

Murder Victim: Maria was a 7 year old girl who was murdered by her stepfather, William Kepple.
At a early age, Maria was fostered. But even so, was a happy little girl.
Her life changed when she returned to live with her biological mother, Pauline in Brighton, England.
Maria found out when she returned to her mother that she was no longer with her father, but married to another man, William Kepple. This would be Maria's new stepfather.
Though Kepple had children of his own, he never cared for them or favored them. There was many times when he would go out to get ice cream for him and Maria's mother, and he would make Maria and his own children watch them eat it.
Soon, Maria's teachers and other adults noticed how sick and thin Maria looked saying she looked like "almost a walking skeleton."
The abuse ended on January 6, 1973 when Maria was brought to the hospital unconsious with severe internal injuries including brain damage. She died shortly after arriving.
Surprisingly, Maria's stepdad was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years in prison, but it was cut short by only half of that on appeal.