Going West: True Crime

Episode 586 — The Brom Ax Murders: A Suburban Nightmare

Air date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the harrowing 1988 Axe murders of the Brom family in Cascade Township, Minnesota. The crime, perpetrated by 16-year-old David Brom, shocked the local community and, decades later, continues to raise difficult questions about family violence, mental illness, and justice. Hosts Daphne and Heath guide listeners through the details of the case—from the initial discovery of the murders, to the investigation, trial, and David Brom’s controversial 2025 parole.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Brom Family and the Community (04:30–07:49)

• The Broms, a devout Catholic family, moved from Minneapolis to Cascade Township in 1984. Bernard (Barn), father, worked at IBM; Paulette, mother, was active in ministry.
• The family had four children: Joseph (eldest, living on his own by 1988), David (16, the eventual perpetrator), Diane (14), and Richard "Rick" (9).
• Friends and neighbors recall the family as upstanding, church-focused, and deeply rooted in the community.
• Paulette had recently left her role running the ministry preschool to spend more time at home.

2. The Crime and Its Discovery (07:49–10:17)

• On February 18, 1988, multiple community members requested a wellness check on the Brom home. Officers arrived and discovered a scene "straight out of a slasher movie."
  • Notable Quote: "I had never seen so much carnage in such a small area." — Olmsted County Deputy Michael Braley, to the court (08:00)
• Paulette and Diane were found at the top of the stairs, apparently clinging to each other; Bernard and Rick were found in their beds. All had been killed with an axe—at least 56 wounds across the four victims.
• Evidence of a struggle, including axe marks on doors, indicated some tried to flee or fight back.

3. Suspicion Falls on David Brom (10:17–12:29)

• David, last seen driving the family van and skipping school, quickly became the lead suspect after classmates reported he’d been boasting about committing the murders.
• Police discovered a journal in David’s closet outlining his murder plot and escape plan. He fantasized about fleeing Minnesota, burying his family, and possibly taking friends with him.
• Despite these elaborate plans, his actions post-crime were chaotic: running errands, withdrawing money, and ultimately failing to flee the area.

4. The Hunt and Arrest (14:14–16:53)

• David went missing after the crime; his brother Joseph, age 19, was informed at work.
• David was eventually arrested at a local post office using a payphone, still in the Rochester area, less than 48 hours after the murders.
  • Memorable Moment: David was spotted at a mall, tried to withdraw more cash, and had fled with candy and Mountain Dew—evidencing his youth and lack of mature planning.
  • Host Commentary: "The fact that this 16-year-old kid is trying to flee with candy and Mountain Dew, that just goes to show you how young this kid really is, you know, how immature in his mind he is." — Heath (15:51)

5. Community Shock & David’s Motives (18:21–26:29)

• The community was stunned, as David had previously been seen as a helpful and friendly neighbor, known for babysitting, shoveling snow, and offering to help.
  • Neighbor’s Reflection: "He was a very pleasant fellow. He always had a smile, which really is like the scariest part..." — Neighbor Richard (19:46)
• Many believed the crime stemmed from a fight with his father over heavy metal music, chores, and general familial tensions. Rumors of possible abuse were never substantiated.
• David’s behavior post-crime disturbed peers further: casual confession to classmates, openly discussing the murders, and even inviting a girl to the movies hours after the killings.

6. Insight into David’s Mental State & Planning (24:41–27:16)

• Evidence showed he exhibited a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” duality: sociable and dependable to most, but with dark jokes, mood swings, and an affinity for darker aesthetics.
• Police interviews painted a picture of a troubled teen: possible depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and fixations on escape and even suicide plans with friends.

7. Legal Proceedings & David’s Fate (31:24–40:56)

• David was charged with 12 counts of murder: first and second degree (both intentional and felony).
• Initially, his positive community reputation made the crime hard to process; friends and relatives struggled to accept his guilt.
• After psychiatric evaluation and legal wrangling, David was eventually tried as an adult, due to the brutality of the crimes.
• As a juvenile, he’d have been eligible for release by 19; as an adult, he received four life sentences, with parole possible after 48 years.
• David’s defense attempted an insanity plea, asserting he suffered from major depression, but the court was unmoved.

8. Aftermath & Community Sentiment (43:11–45:17)

• Joseph, the eldest brother and sole surviving Brom child, pursued higher education but died of cancer in 2016.
• Many locals felt the justice system diminished the deaths of the younger siblings by making some sentences concurrent.
• Host reactions: conflict between belief in rehabilitation and discomfort at the idea of early release for such brutality.

9. Parole, Remorse & Release (43:56–51:18)

• Due to recent legal changes in Minnesota concerning sentencing of juveniles, David Brom qualified for parole earlier than expected.
• At his parole hearing, David apologized for his crimes, acknowledging the lasting trauma he caused:
  • David Brom Quote (via parole hearing):
    "I apologize for that loss, for that grief, for the murders that I committed and the effect that it had on their life...I struggled with depression for some time and it had clouded my thoughts..." (Parole hearing audio, 45:17)
• Sheriff Kevin Torgerson, who led the initial investigation, expressed skepticism and sadness about the release, acknowledging David’s remorse but lamenting the “leniency twice” shown to him.
  • Sheriff Torgerson Quote: "So with that, Mr. Braum is benefiting from leniency twice for mutilating four people..." (48:14)
• David was paroled in July 2025, after initially being placed on work release, and now works in cabinetry, under supervision.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the brutality of the crime:
  "This was a very passionate crime where when you use an axe to kill someone, you know that it's gonna be horrifically brutal, slow." — Heath (23:05)

• On David’s psychological state:
  "He was just a regular freaking kid...and then came up with this totally insane plan." — Heath (19:37)

• On remorse & growth:
  "I’ve kind of spent my time the best that I can to change the things about my life that led me to the despair and the decisions that I made and the actions that I took..." — David Brom (parole board, 44:59)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Case Introduction & Family Background: 04:30–07:49
• Discovery of the Murders: 07:49–10:17
• David as Suspect & Investigation: 10:17–12:29
• The Arrest & Evidence: 14:14–16:53
• Community Reaction & Profile: 18:21–26:29
• Legal Proceedings & Trial: 31:24–40:56
• Parole Hearings & Release: 43:56–51:18

Tone, Language, and Reflection

• Hosts combine empathy with incredulity, repeatedly reflecting on the discordance of David’s friendly reputation and the savagery of his actions.

• There are moments of dark humor and candid language, especially when discussing the naivete of David’s escape attempts and the absurd elements of his crime.

• The episode closes with thoughtful, even conflicted, remarks on justice and rehabilitation:

  • Daphne: “I don't think it was just like, ‘Oh, yeah, I was in a bad mood and I killed my family.’ And that's why there is so much under the surface to be able to do something like that.”
  • Heath: “It's kind of a hard thing because I do believe in rehabilitation, of course, but...it's really hard for you to convince your brain that someone like this should be released.” (51:29–51:48)

Conclusion

The Brom Ax Murders case is a haunting, complex story of family annihilation, mental illness, imperfect justice, and the uncomfortable ambiguity surrounding the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. The episode’s closing questions invite listeners to consider what justice means, whether rehabilitation is ever sufficient, and what the public owes to both the victims and the perpetrator in such a disturbing case.

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