On April 10, 2023, 50-year-old Stephen Clare, the ex-husband of Mariah Clare (née Gardner), attacked his family at their home off Robinhood Place near Alamo Heights in San Antonio, Texas, during a domestic dispute. Stephen shot Mariah and then stabbed both Willow Grace Clare and her 2-year-old sister Rosalie. Willow, who was born April 13, 2022, died on April 11, 2023 — just two days before her first birthday. Her mother and sister survived the attack and were hospitalized. Stephen Clare was arrested at a nearby residence and charged with capital murder of a child under 10 and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bonds totaling $4 million.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The news article states "a domestic dispute led to ex-husband Stephen Clare shooting Mariah then stabbing Willow and Rosalie." While Willow herself was stabbed rather than shot, a firearm was used in the same incident to shoot the mother, making this a firearm incident.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The news article states Willow was "stabbed to death in April" and that "a domestic dispute led to ex-husband Stephen Clare shooting Mariah then stabbing Willow and Rosalie." This clearly describes inflicted injuries by stabbing.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Stephen Clare is described as the "ex-husband" of Mariah in the news article, and the child's last name is Clare — the same as Stephen's. The obituary lists the mother's name as "Mariah Gardner" (apparently her maiden name) with maternal grandparents "John Gardner and Chelsey Guillory." The child bearing the surname Clare strongly implies Stephen Clare is Willow's biological father, though this is not explicitly stated.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article states: "Police arrested the suspect at a nearby residence and charged him with capital murder of a child under 10 and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article states that "a domestic dispute led to ex-husband Stephen Clare shooting Mariah then stabbing Willow and Rosalie." Additionally, the obituary directs donations to "the Magdelana House, which helps mothers and children who have fled abusive lives; a cause that is very near to our hearts," implying an ongoing history of domestic violence in the family.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The obituary directs donations to "the Magdelana House, which helps mothers and children who have fled abusive lives; a cause that is very near to our hearts." This phrasing strongly suggests the family had personal experience with domestic abuse prior to the fatal incident, and that the mother may have previously fled the abusive relationship with Stephen Clare. Combined with the fact that Stephen is described as an "ex-husband" (indicating the couple had separated), this implies an escalatory pattern of domestic violence that culminated in the fatal attack despite the dissolution of the marriage. This context is relevant for understanding the systemic dynamics at play.
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