What Happened to Steven Walter Pladl?
Steven Pladl was an American man involved in a highly publicized incestuous relationship with his biological daughter, Katie Pladl, with whom he fathered a child. The tragic saga culminated in April 2018 when Steven Pladl murdered Katie, their infant son Bennett, and Katie's adoptive father, Anthony Fusco, before taking his own life in a multi-state murder-suicide. The case continues to draw attention, with recent media adaptations released in 2024 and 2026.
Quick Answer
Steven Pladl died by suicide on April 12, 2018, after committing a triple murder. He first suffocated his seven-month-old son, Bennett, in Knightdale, North Carolina. He then traveled to New Milford, Connecticut, where he fatally shot his biological daughter, Katie Pladl, and her adoptive father, Anthony Fusco. The events followed Katie's decision to end their incestuous relationship, for which they had both been arrested. The disturbing case has since been the subject of true crime documentaries and dramatizations, including a Netflix film released in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Steven Walter Pladl Born
Steven Walter Pladl was born in Levittown, New York.
Meets Alyssa Garcia Online
Steven Pladl, then 20, met 15-year-old Alyssa Garcia online. They later had a daughter together.
Birth of Denise (Katie) Pladl
Alyssa gave birth to their daughter, Denise. Due to alleged abuse by Steven, the infant was placed for adoption at 8 months old and renamed Katie Fusco.
Katie Reconnects and Moves In
Katie, at age 18, reconnected with her biological parents, Steven and Alyssa, via social media and moved into their home in Henrico County, Virginia.
Incestuous Relationship and Pregnancy Discovered
Alyssa Pladl discovered through her other daughter's journal that Steven and Katie were in an incestuous relationship and Katie was pregnant. Alyssa reported this to the police.
Steven and Katie Marry
Steven and Katie Pladl illegally married in Parkton, Maryland, lying on marriage documents about their relationship.
Birth of Bennett Kieron Pladl
Katie gave birth to their son, Bennett Kieron Pladl, who was Steven's son and grandson.
Arrested for Incest
Steven and Katie Pladl were arrested in Wake County, North Carolina, and charged with incest, adultery, and contributing to delinquency. They were released on bond with a no-contact order.
Murder of Bennett Pladl
Steven Pladl picked up his son, Bennett, and suffocated the 7-month-old infant at his home in Knightdale, North Carolina, leaving his body in a closet.
Murders of Katie Pladl and Anthony Fusco, Steven's Suicide
Steven Pladl fatally shot Katie Pladl and her adoptive father, Anthony Fusco, in New Milford, Connecticut, after Katie ended their relationship. He then died by suicide in Dover, New York.
Lifetime Movie Release
A Lifetime true crime movie, 'Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story,' focusing on Alyssa Pladl's perspective, was released.
Netflix Release of 'Husband, Father, Killer'
The Lifetime movie 'Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story' became available on Netflix, bringing renewed attention to the Steven Pladl case.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Steven Walter Pladl's life took a dark turn after reconnecting with his biological daughter, Katie Pladl (born Denise Pladl), whom he and his then-wife Alyssa had given up for adoption in 1998. Born on April 6, 1975, Steven met Alyssa online when she was 15 and he was 20. Alyssa later alleged that Steven was abusive towards their infant daughter, leading to the adoption.
In 2016, Katie, then 18, found her birth parents through social media and moved in with Steven, Alyssa, and their two younger daughters in Virginia. Shortly after, Steven and Alyssa separated, and Steven began an incestuous relationship with Katie. Alyssa discovered the affair and Katie's pregnancy in May 2017 through one of her other daughters' journals and reported it to the police. Despite this, Steven and Katie married in Maryland in July 2017, falsifying documents to conceal their relationship, and Katie gave birth to their son, Bennett Kieron Pladl, on September 1, 2017.
In January 2018, Steven and Katie were arrested in North Carolina on charges of incest, adultery, and contributing to delinquency. They were released on bond with a no-contact order, and Katie was ordered to live with her adoptive parents in New York, while Steven's mother gained custody of Bennett. However, Katie decided to end her relationship with Steven in April 2018, reportedly breaking the no-contact order to inform him.
The tragic climax occurred on April 11-12, 2018. On April 11, Steven picked up Bennett from his mother's house and suffocated the seven-month-old infant, leaving his body in a closet in Knightdale, North Carolina. The following day, April 12, Steven drove to New Milford, Connecticut, where he ambushed Katie and her adoptive father, Anthony Fusco, fatally shooting them both in their vehicle. After the murders, Steven called his mother to confess before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his minivan in Dover, New York.
The case garnered significant national and international attention due to its disturbing nature. While Steven Pladl's actions ended in 2018, the story continues to resonate in true crime discussions. In 2024, a Lifetime movie titled 'Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story' was released, focusing on Alyssa's perspective. This film was subsequently made available on Netflix in April 2026, bringing renewed interest to the tragic events surrounding Steven Pladl.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Steven Walter Pladl made different choices?