Early Life and Background
Stephen Gage Berry Jr. was born on June 20, 2004, in Detroit, Michigan. He was one of five children born to Mitchelle Angela Blair and Steven Berry. Known affectionately as “Little Man,” Stephen was described by those who knew him as playful and affectionate. His favorite activities included eating snacks and spending time with his friends.
| Full Name | Stephen Gage Berry Jr. |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 20, 2004 |
| Date of Death | August 30, 2012 |
| Age at Death | 8 years old |
| Place of Residence | Detroit, Michigan |
| Nickname | “Little Man” |
| Parents | Mitchelle Blair, Steven Berry |
| Siblings | 4 total (including Stoni Blair) |
Stephen was the second-youngest child in the family. His siblings included an older sister born in 1998, Stoni Ann Blair born in 2000, and a younger brother born in 2007. The family lived in a public housing unit on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Detroit.
Abuse and Death
Stephen’s final weeks were marked by extreme, prolonged abuse inflicted by his mother, Mitchelle Blair, beginning in August 2012. The abuse involved:
- Belt strangulation
- Scalding with hot water
- Forced ingestion of household cleaners
- Repeated suffocation
- Severe physical beatings
| Incident | Description |
|---|---|
| Abuse Duration | Approx. 2 weeks in August 2012 |
| Date of Death | August 30, 2012 |
| Cause of Death | Blunt trauma and thermal injuries |
| Disposition of Body | Wrapped in a blanket and hidden in a deep freezer |
After Stephen’s death on August 30, 2012, his mother wrapped his body in a blanket and placed it in a stand-up freezer located inside their home. He remained there, undiscovered, for nearly three years.
Death of Stoni Ann Blair
Stephen’s older sister, Stoni Ann Blair, born in 2000, became her mother’s second victim in May 2013. She was subjected to:
- Starvation
- Beatings with blunt objects
- Suffocation with plastic bags
- Eventual strangulation
Her body was placed on top of Stephen’s in the same freezer. At the time of her death, she was 13 years old.
| Victim Name | Stoni Ann Blair |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2000 |
| Date of Death | May 2013 |
| Age at Death | 13 years old |
| Cause of Death | Blunt trauma and asphyxiation |
| Disposition of Body | Wrapped and frozen atop Stephen |
Discovery in the Freezer
On March 24, 2015, nearly three years after the murders, eviction officers arrived to serve a notice at the family’s home. Upon opening the freezer, they found the remains of both Stephen and Stoni.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer Discovery | March 24, 2015 | Bodies found during court-ordered eviction |
| Location | Detroit, MI | Family residence on Martin Luther King Blvd |
| Time Since Death | ~3 years | Stephen (2012), Stoni (2013) |
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Mitchelle Angela Blair was arrested the same day the bodies were discovered. Her charges included:
- Two counts of first-degree premeditated murder
- Torture
- Multiple counts of child abuse
She confessed to both murders in court, showing no remorse. On June 2015, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
| Defendant | Mitchelle Angela Blair |
|---|---|
| Arrest Date | March 24, 2015 |
| Sentencing Date | June 2015 |
| Sentence | Life without parole |
| Facility | Huron Valley Correctional Facility |
Surviving Siblings
Two siblings survived:
- Eldest sister, born in 1998 (17 years old at time of discovery)
- Youngest brother, born in 2007 (7 years old at discovery)
Both kids were taken from home and placed in protective custody. The older sister said she was terrified to “walk by the freezer” where her brothers were hiding due to abuse and terror. Her reports included:
- Being burned with curling irons
- Being doused in rubbing alcohol
- Threatened with being killed
| Sibling | Birth Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest Sister | 1998 | Placed with relatives, ongoing therapy |
| Youngest Brother | 2007 | Adopted by great-aunt |
Fathers and Extended Family
Steven Berry (Stephen’s father):
- Fathered Stephen but had limited involvement.
- Parental rights lost owing to absence and child support nonpayment.
Alexander Dorsey (Stoni’s father):
- Participated in custody hearings.
- Claimed Mitchelle restricted his access to his children.
- Also lost parental rights.
Extended family reportedly did not intervene. There was no record of significant concern or attempts to locate the missing children.
| Parent | Name | Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen’s Father | Steven Berry | Minimal involvement, rights terminated |
| Stoni’s Father | Alexander Dorsey | Participated in court, rights terminated |
Broader Impact and Policy Debate
The murders led to public and legislative outrage. At the time, Michigan had no laws requiring regular check-ins on homeschooled children. Since Mitchelle Blair claimed to homeschool her children, their prolonged absence went unnoticed by authorities and schools.
Policy discussions included:
- Mandatory welfare checks for homeschooled children
- Statewide homeschooling registry
- Improved child welfare complaint follow-up
Table of Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 20, 2004 | Stephen Gage Berry born |
| August 2012 | Abuse of Stephen escalates |
| August 30, 2012 | Stephen dies from abuse |
| May 2013 | Stoni Blair killed |
| March 24, 2015 | Bodies discovered in family’s freezer |
| June 2015 | Mitchelle Blair sentenced to life without parole |
FAQ
Who was Stephen Gage Berry?
Stephen Gage Berry Jr. was an 8-year-old boy from Detroit murdered by his mother in 2012.
When did Stephen Gage Berry die?
Stephen died on August 30, 2012, after two weeks of severe abuse.
How was Stephen’s body discovered?
His body was found in a freezer during an eviction on March 24, 2015.
Who killed Stephen and why?
His mother, Mitchelle Blair, killed him and later his sister, alleging false claims of abuse by them.
What happened to Stephen’s siblings?
Two siblings survived and were placed in protective custody; one has since been adopted.
What was Mitchelle Blair’s sentence?
She was sentenced to life in prison without parole in June 2015.
Did Stephen’s father intervene?
No, his father, Steven Berry, lost parental rights due to neglect and absence.
How long were the bodies hidden?
Stephen’s body remained hidden for nearly 3 years before discovery.
Was the family under state oversight?
They weren’t monitored due to Michigan’s lenient homeschooling laws.
Has this case changed state law?
It spurred legislative recommendations, but no major legal reforms had passed by the last records.
