Court Reaffirms Life Sentence for Social Media Killer Who Shocked the Nation

The New York State Appellate Division has denied Brandon Clark’s appeal to overturn his guilty plea in the brutal 2019 murder of 17-year-old Bianca Devins, ensuring that justice remains served for one of the most disturbing social media-documented crimes in recent history. Clark, now 27, will continue serving his 25-years-to-life sentence at Attica Correctional Facility, with no possibility of parole until 2044.

This decisive ruling, released on Friday, June 10, 2025, closes another chapter in a case that horrified the nation and sparked crucial conversations about social media safety, domestic violence, and the exploitation of victims in the digital age. The court’s decision sends a clear message: those who commit heinous acts and exploit social media platforms to spread violence will face the full consequences of their actions.

The Crime That Shocked America

On July 14, 2019, what should have been a typical summer morning in Utica, New York, became the scene of an unthinkable tragedy. Brandon Clark, then 21, brutally murdered 17-year-old Bianca Devins by slashing her throat with a large knife after attending a concert together in New York City the previous evening.

But Clark’s depravity didn’t end with the murder. In an act that would define the case’s lasting impact, he photographed Devins’ nearly decapitated body and posted the images on social media platforms including Discord and Instagram, accompanied by chilling captions like “sorry fuckers, you’re going to have to find somebody else to orbit.”

According to the Rome Sentinel, Clark had called 911 himself, telling dispatchers: “My name is Brandon, the victim is Bianca Michelle Devins. I’m not going to stay on the phone for long, because I still need to do the suicide part of the murder-suicide.”

When police arrived at the scene on Poe Street, they found Clark attempting to harm himself with a knife while lying across a green tarp that concealed Devins’ body. Even as officers approached, Clark continued taking photos of himself with the victim’s corpse.

A Relationship Built on Manipulation

The relationship between Clark and Devins was complex and troubling. Police described their connection as “personally intimate,” but family and friends painted a different picture. Devins had reportedly told Clark she didn’t want to date him, though he continued pursuing her.

According to Wikipedia’s comprehensive account, friends feared Clark was exploiting Devins sexually while both were under the influence of drugs, with Clark allegedly supplying substances to entice her to spend time with him.

The murder occurred after Clark witnessed Devins kissing another person at the Nicole Dollanganger concert they had attended together. This act of jealousy and possessiveness would cost a promising young woman her life and devastate a family forever.

The Digital Horror Unfolds

What made this case particularly disturbing was how Clark weaponized social media to extend his violence beyond the physical act. The graphic images of Devins’ body spread rapidly across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and the messaging platform Discord.

The photos gained traction on websites like 4chan, where users celebrated Clark for committing “another 4chan murder.” Users on extremist forums praised the killing, while others created fake fundraising websites to capitalize on Devins’ death.

As reported by HuffPost, the images remained online for days despite efforts to remove them. Devins’ family members, particularly her sister Olivia, were repeatedly sent the graphic photos by online trolls, causing lasting psychological trauma.

“Many random people set their profile pictures as my sister’s death photo and went on my page knowing I would, without a doubt, see it,” Olivia Devins said during Clark’s sentencing hearing. “The picture, to this day, continues to be sent to me.”

The Legal Battle and Failed Appeal

Clark initially pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder but changed his plea to guilty in February 2020. However, his legal troubles didn’t end there. In late 2020, Clark attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming it was made involuntarily due to advice from his defense counsel.

Then-Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer denied this motion after a hearing, and Clark was sentenced to 25 years to life in March 2021. Undeterred, Clark’s legal team pursued an appeal to the New York State Appellate Division.

The appellate court’s decision was unambiguous in its rejection of Clark’s claims. As reported by Yahoo News, the court stated: “Contrary to defendant’s contention, County Court did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his plea of guilty after a hearing.”

The court further noted that “both the hearing testimony from defendant’s former defense counsel and defendant’s own statements during the plea colloquy belie that allegation” of an involuntary plea.

Most significantly, the Appellate Division concluded that “the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe,” affirming that Clark’s punishment fits the gravity of his crimes.

A Family’s Ongoing Nightmare

For the Devins family, this legal victory provides some measure of closure, but their pain continues. During Clark’s original sentencing, Bianca’s mother, Kim Devins, made an emotional plea to the court.

“We seek closure in regards to the crime that took our beautiful angel from us by respectfully asking the court … to make sure that Brandon Clark remains in prison for the rest of his life, so that he cannot harm anyone else and inflict this horrific pain on any other family,” she said.

Bianca’s grandfather, Frank Williams, warned that should Clark ever seek parole, “you can be certain that our family will represent Bianca and will ask the reviewing board to consider” keeping him imprisoned.

The family’s statement after Bianca’s death captured the essence of who she was: “Bianca, age 17, was a talented artist, a loving sister, daughter, and cousin, and a wonderful young girl, taken from us all too soon. She is now looking down on us, as she joins her cat, Belle, in heaven. Bianca’s smile brightened our lives.”

Legislative Impact: Bianca’s Law

Bianca’s tragic death wasn’t in vain. Her case sparked important legislative action to protect other families from similar digital exploitation. In 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed “Bianca’s Law” into effect, which strengthens penalties for sharing graphic images of crime victims online.

This legislation represents a crucial step forward in addressing the intersection of violence and social media, ensuring that platforms and individuals face consequences for perpetuating harm against victims and their families.

The Broader Implications

The denial of Clark’s appeal reinforces several critical principles in our justice system:

Accountability in the Digital Age: Courts are recognizing that crimes involving social media exploitation deserve severe punishment. Clark’s use of digital platforms to extend his violence and traumatize the victim’s family was a significant factor in his sentencing.

Protection of Victims’ Families: The legal system is evolving to better protect families from ongoing digital harassment and exploitation following violent crimes.

Deterrent Effect: The firm rejection of Clark’s appeal sends a message to potential perpetrators that the courts will not tolerate attempts to escape responsibility for such heinous acts.

Social Media’s Role and Responsibility

This case highlighted significant failures in how social media platforms respond to violent content. Despite policies against graphic violence, images of Devins’ murder remained online for extended periods across multiple platforms.

Instagram and Facebook eventually removed Clark’s accounts and added the murder images to their digital fingerprint databases, but critics argued these responses were too slow and insufficient. The case prompted important discussions about platform responsibility and the need for more robust content moderation systems.

Moving Forward: Lessons Learned

As we reflect on this case and the court’s decision to deny Clark’s appeal, several key lessons emerge:

1. Digital Violence is Real Violence: The trauma inflicted through social media can be as devastating as physical harm, and our legal system must continue evolving to address these crimes appropriately.
2. Victim-Centered Justice: The focus must remain on supporting victims’ families and preventing further harm, rather than providing endless appeals opportunities for perpetrators.
3. Platform Accountability: Social media companies must take greater responsibility for preventing the spread of violent content and protecting users from exploitation.
4. Community Support: The Utica community’s response to this tragedy, including vigils, counseling services, and ongoing support for the Devins family, demonstrates the importance of collective healing.

The Path Ahead

With Clark’s appeal denied, he will remain at Attica Correctional Facility until at least 2044, when he becomes eligible for parole. However, given the severity of his crimes and the family’s commitment to opposing any future release, it’s likely he will serve much longer.

The Devins family continues to advocate for victims’ rights and digital safety, ensuring that Bianca’s memory serves as a catalyst for positive change. Their strength in the face of unimaginable tragedy serves as an inspiration to other families facing similar circumstances.

A Call for Continued Vigilance

The denial of Brandon Clark’s appeal represents more than just a legal victory—it’s a reaffirmation of our society’s commitment to justice and protection of the vulnerable. However, our work is far from over.

We must continue supporting legislation like Bianca’s Law, holding social media platforms accountable for their role in preventing digital exploitation, and providing resources for families affected by similar crimes. Most importantly, we must remember Bianca Devins not as a victim of social media violence, but as a talented young woman whose life had immeasurable value.

As we move forward, let us honor Bianca’s memory by creating a digital world that protects rather than exploits, supports rather than traumatizes, and values human dignity above viral content. The court’s decision to deny Clark’s appeal is a step in the right direction, but the journey toward true digital justice continues.

The message is clear: those who commit acts of violence and exploit social media to extend their harm will face the full consequences of their actions. Justice for Bianca Devins has been served, and it will be upheld.