Encinitas, CA – A California woman is serving a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of her stepfather, a crime that unfolded after a disturbing personal violation. Jade Janks, 41, was found guilty of killing Thomas Merriman, 64, a butterfly conservationist and co-founder of Encinitas-based non-profit Butterfly Farms, in a chilling case that has captured widespread attention.
The incident dates back to New Year’s Eve of 2020 when authorities discovered Merriman’s body hidden under debris in his own driveway. Investigations revealed that Janks had drugged Merriman with a combination of painkillers and sleeping pills before suffocating him, a deed she committed following a harrowing discovery.
Prosecutors reported that Janks had stumbled upon nude photos of herself on Merriman’s computer. The images, which included photos of her in the shower and others dating from her teenage years, had been taken variously, some reportedly with a past boyfriend’s consent.
The shocking find reportedly disturbed Janks deeply. During her testimony, she described the discovery as an extreme violation of her privacy, expressing profound emotional distress. “It was the most violating, awful, gut-wrenching feeling ever. I felt sick, and I couldn’t even touch my own skin,” Janks said during the trial.
Legal documents suggest that the photos were organized meticulously on Merriman’s computer, sorted by body parts, adding to the invasive nature of the breach. This aspect was highlighted during the court proceedings, where defense attorneys portrayed Merriman as a complex figure, loved by Janks but troubled in his affections.
The prosecution argued that the betrayal she felt upon discovering the photos drove Janks to premeditate Merriman’s murder. Text messages sent by Janks on the night of the murder underscored the deliberateness of her actions. She texted an acquaintance detailing how she had heavily sedated Merriman, followed by alarming messages about her intentions to physically assault him as he regained consciousness.
In 2023, Janks was convicted of murder and was subsequently sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. In a recent development, an appellate judge in California upheld her conviction in October 2024, affirming the decision of the lower court.
The defense attempted to paint a picture of familial love laced with complexity. “Jade Janks loved her stepfather. Tom Merriman loved Jade Janks. Unfortunately, Tom Merriman was a troubled individual, and he loved her in different ways,” Marc Carlos, Janks’ defense attorney, stated in court, attempting to shed light on the emotional intricacies of their relationship.
This case has not only highlighted the severe legal repercussions of murder but also ignited discussion about privacy violations and their profound impact on personal and psychological well-being. The tragic sequence of events underscores the devastating effects that breaches of trust and privacy can have on individuals, often catalyzing extreme reactions under duress.