5 infamous crimes involving twins
Natural Born KillerWe all know that twins share a special connection, whether they're identical in appearance or maybe even physically gifted. But what happens when that bond turns deadly?
Believe it or not, there's a shocking number of twisted crimes that have taken place involving twins. Although some might not have killed together, there are several cases where twins have been involved in some of the most terrifying crimes.
This article examines notable cases involving twins and the story behind each crime. Read on to discover five shocking examples the team at Crime+Investigation has uncovered.
1. Vincent and Marcus Stanford
Vincent Stanford had a reputation that disturbed those around him. According to peers, he had severe mood swings and avoided eye contact. He worked as a cleaner at Leeton High School when teacher Stephanie Scott went missing.
On Easter Sunday, 2015, Stephanie disappeared. After a thorough search, the police suspected Stanford was involved in Stephanie's disappearance as, amongst other things, he'd called in sick that day. Things also took a turn when they found blood in the store cupboard — it matched both his and his twin brother Marcus' DNA.
Although the interviewers spoke to both brothers, Marcus had a strong alibi. An overwhelming amount of evidence came to light, unravelling Vincent's story. Later, he confessed to the murder of Stephanie. Despite not initially being involved in the crime, Marcus was later convicted of being an accessory after the fact to murder. It transpired that he had sold two of Stephanie's rings to a jewelry store.
2. Robert and Stephen Spahalski
A bond like no other? The story of twins Robert and Stephen Spahalski is a gruesome one. Twin brothers, both killers.
Although the Spahalski twins did most things together while growing up in 1960s New York, they murdered separately. Stephen was the first to kill. The then-17-year-old stabbed storeowner Ronald Ripley to death in 1971.
His twin brother, Robert, was also in and out of correctional facilities during Stephen's 30-year stint in prison. However, in 2006, Robert was convicted of murdering four people and sentenced to 25 years to life for each one.
Stephen was shocked when he discovered his brother's dark past. He kept his crimes under the radar for years.
3. Orlando and Brandon Nembhard
After a fight broke out outside a club in Arizona, 19-year-old Xavier Brooks was brutally shot dead. But the question is, by whom?
In February 2011, Orlando Nembhard was arrested for the murder of the teenager. However, things became complicated when authorities discovered that Orlando had a twin brother called Brandon.
The murder weapon was missing, and the police didn't have any DNA to match the brothers. The only thing they could go on was visual identification. This made things even trickier as eyewitnesses couldn't tell the brothers apart and kept alternating between the two.
As the case was inconclusive and the shooter remains unknown, Orlando Nembhard's bond was reduced. Orlando had faced charges of burglary and marijuana possession in his past, but his brother Brandon had no previous criminal record.
4. Kevin and Karl Dugar
The Dugar brothers always had each other's backs. As boys, they used to dress the same and do everything together – even switching places to fool their peers and teachers. But sometimes loyalty does not last forever…
In 2013, while Kevin was incarcerated for a murder he claimed he didn't commit, a startling discovery emerged. After years without contact, Kevin received a letter from his identical twin brother Karl detailing that he's the reason Kevin was convicted.
It was Karl who killed gang member Antwan Taylor, not Kevin…
'You know, the case you were found guilty on and you swore you were being setup on? I know you was telling the truth about not having anything to do with it because I’m the one who shot and killed those two people on Sheridan that night,' Karl wrote in his letter to his brother.
Karl let his brother take the fall. However, it's the system Kevin holds accountable for his incarceration, not his brother.
'I love my twin brother,' he said. 'It wasn't my twin's fault I was locked up.' Kevin told sources when he was granted a bond.
5. Ronnie and Reggie Kray
We're pretty sure you've heard of the Kray twins by now. They are one of the world’s most famous criminal twins. During the 1960s, the pair was notorious for running protection rackets and nightclubs and intimidating those around them.
Their organised crime gang was known as 'The Firm', and the pair ran the rough-and-tumble East End of London where they had grown up. With the proceeds from their criminal activities, they would open legitimate businesses.
Although Ronnie and Reggie owned multiple businesses and mixed with various high-profile figures and celebrities, they were finally sentenced for murder in 1969 after years of outlandish behaviour.
Several murders committed by the Krays proved to be the final straw for Scotland Yard, leading to the eventual arrest of the brothers after gang members began to inform on them. They received life sentences behind bars.
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