The Murders of Serena and Sophia Campione
Warning, this case discusses murder, crimes against children and domestic violence.
For this case, I watched an episode of Signs of a Psychopath. It’s season 4 episode 2, titled ‘Sleeping Beauties.’
Background
In 2000, Elaine met a man named Leo Campione. Elaine would later say that Leo was extremely abusive towards her even when she was pregnant with their daughters.
Serena was born on August 8, 2003, and Sophia in March 2005. Leo was charged with assault and bodily harm, and was eventually bonded out of jail. Elaine filed for divorce, and two were in a custody battle at the time this occurred.
Serena, Elaine and Sophia Campione
The Crime
On October 4, 2006, Elaine called the police. She would later say that she hadn’t remembered anything.
At the police station, Elaine was asked if she understood that she was being charged with two counts of first degree murder. Elaine said she understood.
On October 2, Elaine said that Serena was in the living room coloring, and Sophia was taking a bath. She said she put her daughters to bed every night between 7-8pm. She put them to bed, and had taken several of her anti-anxiety pills. Elaine said she didn’t remember anything until people started showing up at her house on October 4.
Elaine was again asked about what happened on October 2. She told them that they had been videotaping, and described what the girls had been doing. She said that when they were in bed, she noticed that Sophia’s lips were a weird color, and that Serena looked weird too. She said she knew something was wrong.
This is very disturbing, so I do apologize. After Elaine drowned her daughters, she put them in princess dresses (some reports say pajamas), did their hair, and put them to sleep.
A Message to Leo
The police brought in a female interrogator to speak to Elaine. However, Elaine didn’t admit to killing her daughters, and asked for an attorney several times.
The police did find video diaries. On October 2, Elaine recorded her daughters watching Sleeping Beauty. She can be heard asking both of them how much they thought Mommy loved them. She’s clearly acting like she’s a perfect mom, and that nothing terrible was about to happen.
Later, Elaine videotaped herself talking to Leo. In the video, she asked if he was happy, and that because of him “everything was gone.” She said that he didn’t care about her or the girls, and that he was the psychotic devil.
Elaine also talked about the abuse that was inflicted on her and the girls. She said no one believed her, and that the court failed her by allowing him to fight for custody. Elaine also said, “at least the girls and I will be together in heaven.”
Elaine had never meant to wake up. She killed the girls, took sleeping pills, and was expecting to die with them. Elaine also said in the video that she was not mentally ill, which would come back to haunt her later.
The Conviction
The police had also found papers in the apartment addressed to Elaine telling her to appear in court on October 5.
Elaine pled not guilty, and claimed she wasn’t criminally responsible. Her lawyers argued that Elaine suffered from delusions.
Serena and Sophia’s autopsies came back, and revealed that there was water in their lungs. There was also a blue residue found on their foreheads from a bathmat.
Elaine Campione was found guilty of first degree murder. She was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years.
In 2019, Elaine was granted escorted absences from prison. She could be released as early as 2031.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I believe Elaine was struggling, it doesn't excuse what she did to a 3-year-old and nineteen month old. It seemed like she knew what she was doing when she planned to kill them, and end her own life too. Maybe others have different opinions than I do, and I’d love to hear your opinions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Campione
https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-elaine-campione-now/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7XB2oEXlxM
