Casper O’Brien

Murder of Casper O’Brien

Damien O’Brien

Damien O’Brien was 40 years old when he was charged in 2026. He lived in Flint Township, Michigan, with Jessica O’Brien and their two children, 7-year-old Casper O’Brien and Casper’s 5-year-old sister. Source

Jessica O’Brien

Jessica O’Brien was 41 years old when she was charged in 2026. She lived with Damien O’Brien and their children at a home on Dania Street in Flint Township, Michigan. Source

October 26, 2013

• Jessica and Damien O’Brien married Source

Before November 2025

Authorities later stated Casper and his 5-year-old sister had no known prior Child Protective Services history. Prosecutors said the children had never attended school and were largely unknown to state systems. Source

2018

Casper Jacob Shane O’Brien was born around 2018. His obituary later listed him as 7 years old and from Flint, Michigan. Source

February 2024

Casper reportedly saw a doctor in February 2024. At that visit, he was referred to a pediatric endocrinologist. Prosecutors later said the follow-up specialist appointment was never completed. Source

February 2024 to November 2025

• Public reporting states Casper gained approximately 151 pounds over a 21-month period. By the time of his death, he weighed 255 pounds. Prosecutors alleged he was not receiving proper nutrition, medical care, exercise, or a safe living environment. Source

Before November 4, 2025

• Prosecutors alleged Casper was denied necessary medical treatment despite the family having healthcare access. Prosecutors also alleged Casper was bedridden, nonverbal, and had severe bedsores. Source
• Authorities described the home as a hoarding environment with trash and unsafe living conditions. Prosecutors alleged Casper was fed mainly snack foods, including potato chips and fries. Source

November 4, 2025

• Earlier: Flint Township police were called to the family’s home on Dania Street for a report of pediatric cardiac arrest. Source
• 8:52 a.m. An officer entered the O’Brien residence and documented extreme hoarding conditions. The report states there was trash covering the floors throughout the home to such an extent that the officer could not determine whether the flooring was carpet or hardwood.

• Police described Casper as extremely obese, visibly dirty, and wearing a soiled diaper. Responders also found Casper’s 5-year-old sister, who was described in reporting as dirty and overweight. Source
• Casper was transported to Hurley Medical Center, where he died a short time later. Source
• 10:00 a.m. Investigators examined Casper’s body at Hurley Medical Center. According to the report:
  • A strong foul odor was immediately noticeable after opening the body bag.
  • Investigators believed the odor was associated with poor hygiene, filth, and possible infection rather than decomposition.
  • Casper appeared not to have bathed for an extended period.
  • Dirt, dead skin, and unidentified buildup covered his body.
  • His hair was extremely dirty and beginning to mat into dreadlocks.
  • His fingernails were described as very long, filthy, and unkempt.
  • Investigators observed redness and open sores within skin folds and under the armpits that appeared infected.

• 11:20 a.m. Lt. Vanlente, Detective Weber, Detective Beckwith, and another investigator entered the residence. An investigator wrote that the condition of the home “can’t be accurately described in words.”

• 11:25 a.m. Investigators conducted a body-worn camera walkthrough while Damien O’Brien described the residence. The home was photographed by Detective Beckwith.

November 15, 2025

• Casper’s funeral was scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel in Swartz Creek, Michigan. Source

November 2025 to June 2026

• After Casper’s death, investigators reviewed the medical findings, home conditions, and allegations of prolonged neglect. Source

June 23, 2026

• Damien O’Brien and Jessica O’Brien were charged with second-degree murder, torture, and three counts of second-degree child abuse. Source

June 24, 2026

• Damien and Jessica O’Brien were arrested after the charges were filed. Source
• Jessica O’Brien, 41, and Damien O’Brien, 40, of Flint Township, were arrested June 24 and charged with second-degree murder, torture and three counts of second-degree child abuse in connection with Casper’s November 2025 death.

July 2, 2026

• Attorneys for Damien and Jessica O’Brien appeared in court for a probable cause hearing. Their personal appearances were waived. Source
• District Judge Mark McCabe ordered both parents to undergo competency and criminal responsibility evaluations. Bond was denied for both defendants. Source

September 9, 2026

A review hearing was scheduled for September 9, 2026, pending the results of the psychological evaluations. Source

Investigation & Autopsy Findings

Prosecutor Describes Alleged Conditions Inside the Home

During public remarks following the charges, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton described what investigators and first responders allegedly encountered inside the O’Brien residence.

According to Leyton, investigators believe Casper O’Brien was bedridden, medically neglected, and living in extremely unsanitary conditions.

“The paramedics went into the house to try to revive the child, and the township police wrote in their police report that they couldn’t even go into the house because there wasn’t any additional room.”

Authorities said Damien and Jessica O’Brien called 911 from their Flint Township home in November 2025 after Casper stopped breathing. He was transported to a hospital, where he died. Prosecutors allege his death resulted from dilated cardiomyopathy, with morbid obesity listed as a contributing condition.

Leyton also described the condition of Casper’s younger sister when officers entered the home.

“When the police arrived, the 5-year-old little girl was running around naked and, for lack of a better term, she was like a feral child.”

Following the investigation, Damien and Jessica O’Brien were each charged with second-degree murder, torture, and multiple counts of second-degree child abuse.

Leyton stated that investigators believe Casper was nonverbal and likely on the autism spectrum, but alleged that neither Casper nor his sister received appropriate medical care despite both parents being employed and having health insurance.

The prosecutor contrasted the family’s actions on the day of Casper’s death by alleging they sought veterinary care for a pet while failing to obtain medical treatment for their children.

“They knew enough to call the veterinarian the very morning the child went into cardiac arrest because the dog was sick. But yet they don’t take the kids to the doctor. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Authorities said the couple’s 5-year-old daughter was immediately removed from the home by Children’s Protective Services following Casper’s death and placed into temporary foster care.

November 4, 2025

The medical examiner listed Casper’s cause of death as dilated cardiomyopathy, with morbid obesity as a contributing condition. Source

• Height: 4 feet, 2.5 inches.
• Weight: 255 pounds.
• Cause of death: dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Contributing condition: morbid obesity.

Casper O’Brien

Court records, filings, charging documents, police reports, and related case materials will be added here as they become available.