How failing college led to daughter brutally murdering her own mother by stabbing her in the neck 23 times

Following on from the Netflix documentary What Jennifer Did, which documented how Jennifer Pan hired hitmen to murder her parents, true-crime aficionados are revisiting similar cases.

And a standout case with disturbing parallels is that of 23-year-old Sydney Powell from Akron, Ohio, who was sentenced to life behind bars in September last year (2023) for the murder of her own mother.

Sydney stabbed her mum - a longtime child-life specialist at Akron Children's Hospital - 23 times in the neck after her double life was exposed in 2020.

Brenda Powell, 50, was initially struck by Sydney with an iron skillet on March 3, 2020, and then stabbed to death with a steak knife.

This fatal altercation happened after it was revealed that Sydney, 23, had been kicked out of college.

This has eerie parallels to the story of Jennifer Pan, who was also found out to be lying about attending university by her parents. After this was exposed, Jennifer was convicted for orchestrating a kill-for-hire attack in 2010 that resulted in the murder of her mother and near-death of her father, resulting in life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

In Sydney's case, it had emerged that she had been suspended by the University of Mount Union for her failing grades.

Sydney Powell was sentenced to life in prison after murdering her own mother. (WKYC Channel 3)

In the most shocking twist, it also came to light that school staff were on the phone with Brenda whilst the fatal attack happened.

They then alerted emergency services and the police when they heard screaming.

School officials then called the Powell home again, hoping to hear from Brenda.

A voice answered, claiming to be the slain mother, saying: "Yes, this is Brenda. Yes, this is Brenda."

But Associate Dean of Students, Michelle Gaffney, testified during the trial and said: "It was not Brenda. I was sure it was Sydney.

"Both Dean [of Students John] Frazier and I looked at each other and sort of shook our heads at each other and said that's not Brenda."

Brenda Powell was 50-years-old when she was brutally murdered. (Akron Children's Hospital)

He then said: “Sydney, I think this is you, this is not Brenda," and the phone line cut off.

In court, Sydney declined to make a statement, which her defence lawyer said was ‘because of her coming appeals case’.

Sydney then broke down in tears as she was led out of court.

The presiding Judge, Kelly McLaughlin, addressed the court: "To the victim, to the family and the friends, I am terribly sorry for your loss here.

“I cannot imagine what you have been through."

The jury in Sydney’s case found her guilty of murder, assault and tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to life in prison, but will be eligible for parole after 15 years.