Death Penalty Sought for Man Accused of Brutally Attacking Ex-Wife and Young Daughters

The death penalty is now a possibility for a Texas man accused of carrying out a brutal attack on his ex-wife and their two young daughters — a case that continues to haunt an entire community as it inches closer to trial.

Stephen Clare, 53, is set to appear in Bexar County court for a status conference this week, according to court records. He is facing multiple serious charges, including capital murder of a child under 10, attempted capital murder of a child, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say the violence unfolded on April 10, 2023, inside a San Antonio home. Authorities allege Clare shot his ex-wife, Mariah Gardner, then stabbed their daughters, 2-year-old Rosalie and 11-month-old Willow. Willow later died from her injuries.

Gardner survived the attack, but her injuries were catastrophic.

According to investigators and court testimony, the day began like any other. Gardner had picked up her children, helped them with homework, and prepared dinner. Then Clare arrived at the house — angry and armed.

Surveillance footage presented in court reportedly shows Clare chasing Gardner through the home before shooting her multiple times. He then allegedly turned the knife on the two toddlers. Gardner’s two sons from a previous relationship managed to escape through a window and ran to a neighbor’s house for help.

First responders described a harrowing scene.

One police officer testified that she applied pressure to Gardner’s wounds and spoke to her to keep her conscious, fearing she might die on the spot. Gardner ultimately survived, but suffered extensive injuries, including multiple gunshot wounds, broken bones, and a long abdominal incision from emergency surgery.

Rosalie also required surgery and weeks of recovery.

Willow did not survive.

Gardner later spoke publicly about her relationship with Clare, describing a troubling pattern of control, threats, and stalking following their separation. She said she had filed for divorce months earlier and claimed Clare had driven past her home repeatedly, made disturbing comments about violence, and even joked about kidnapping her.

Despite those fears, Clare had been granted shared custody of their daughters.

After the attack, Clare was arrested roughly a mile and a half from the home. During a later hearing, a state family services worker testified that Clare claimed he could not remember what happened that day.

Gardner has since dedicated herself to raising awareness about domestic violence, saying no punishment could ever match the loss of her daughter.

“I will never get to hear my baby tell me she loves me,” she said in court. “He should never be a free man again.”

Prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether they will formally seek the death penalty, but it remains an option under Texas law as the case moves forward.