The Story Of Erin Caffey, The Texas Teenager Who Convinced Her Boyfriend To Murder Her Entire Family
When Erin Caffey’s parents stopped her from seeing her boyfriend, she made a shocking decision. She convinced him to murder her family in cold blood.
On March 1, 2008, two men entered the Caffey family home in Alba, Texas, and went on a brutal killing spree. By the end of the night, Erin’s mother and her two younger brothers were dead. Only Erin, 16 at the time, and her father, Terry Caffey, survived. Terry was shot several times and barely escaped the burning house alive.
The nation was horrified when police revealed the shocking truth: Erin Caffey had planned the entire attack.
Erin Caffey and Charlie Wilkinson’s Troubled Romance
The tragic story began five months earlier when Erin met Charlie Wilkinson, an 18-year-old she started dating. The two met while Erin was working at a Sonic fast-food restaurant. Their relationship quickly became serious. Charlie gave Erin a promise ring, a family heirloom, and openly talked about marrying her.
But Erin’s parents were concerned. Terry Caffey, her father, had a bad feeling about Charlie from the start. “Something about him didn’t feel right,” Terry later said.
The Caffey family was deeply religious and heavily involved in their church. They were also a musical family. Erin’s younger brothers, Tyler (8) and Matthew (13), played instruments at church. Their mom, Penny, played the piano, while Erin sang. But after Erin started dating Charlie, her life changed. She began skipping school and breaking rules.
When her parents looked up Charlie’s Myspace profile, they were alarmed by his posts, which included inappropriate jokes about drinking and other topics. In February 2008, when Erin broke her phone curfew, her parents insisted she end the relationship.
Erin was furious. She started talking to friends about a shocking plan — killing her parents so she could be with Charlie.
The Night of the Caffey Family Massacre
Erin’s anger turned into a horrifying plot. She, Charlie, and his friend Charles Waid planned to kill her family. Waid’s girlfriend even joined the plan. While it’s unclear who first came up with the idea, Terry Caffey believes it wasn’t Erin. However, Charlie later claimed he had suggested they simply run away, but Erin insisted on murder instead.
On the night of the attack, Charlie and Waid arrived at the Caffey home. Erin and Waid’s girlfriend stayed in the car. Before going inside, Charlie told Erin he would have to kill her younger brothers to leave no witnesses. Erin allegedly replied, “I don’t care. Just do what you have to do.”
Inside the house, Charlie shot Erin’s parents, Terry and Penny, while they slept. Terry was hit multiple times but survived. He helplessly watched his wife die beside him. When Charlie’s gun jammed, Waid used a sword to kill Penny, nearly decapitating her.
The two men then went upstairs and killed Erin’s younger brothers. Terry heard his son Matthew cry out, “No, Charlie, no! Why are you doing this?” The boys were brutally attacked, with Tyler being shot and Matthew stabbed multiple times.
After the murders, Charlie and Waid looted the house for valuables. Charlie had promised Waid $2,000 for his help. Before leaving, they set the house on fire using lighter fluid.
Terry Caffey’s Incredible Escape
Despite his injuries, Terry regained consciousness as flames consumed the house. He managed to crawl out of a window and spent over an hour dragging himself to a neighbor’s house for help. He was so badly injured that when the neighbor called 911, they told dispatchers, “He’s bleeding everywhere.”
Terry was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Miraculously, he survived and was stable enough to talk to police. He identified Charlie Wilkinson as one of the attackers.
When police tracked Charlie to his trailer, they found Erin there too. She claimed she had been kidnapped, but her story quickly fell apart.
The Trial and Sentencing of Erin Caffey
Within 24 hours of the murders, all four suspects were in custody. Charlie and Waid confessed, telling police that Erin had been the mastermind. Erin, however, insisted to her grandparents that she had nothing to do with the killings.
Charlie testified that he had begged Erin to run away with him instead of going through with the murders, but Erin had refused.
In the end, Erin, Charlie, Waid, and Waid’s girlfriend were all charged with three counts of capital murder. Charlie and Waid received life sentences without parole. Erin was also sentenced to life in prison but will be eligible for parole after 40 years.
Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty for Charlie and Waid, but Terry Caffey asked them not to. Despite his unimaginable loss, Terry believed in forgiveness, a core part of his faith.
Life After the Tragedy
Terry Caffey eventually forgave his daughter and maintained a relationship with her, even visiting her in prison. Erin continued to deny planning the murders. She told her father she tried to escape Charlie that night but was forced to stay in the car.
Terry believes her version of events. Despite everything, he remains committed to his faith and forgiveness.
A Legacy of Tragedy and Forgiveness
The story of Erin Caffey and the murder of her family is one of heartbreak and horror. It serves as a chilling reminder of how a series of bad decisions can lead to unimaginable consequences. For Terry Caffey, the tragedy has become a testament to his faith and the power of forgiveness, even in the face of overwhelming pain.
FAQs About the Erin Caffey Case
1. Who is Erin Caffey?
Erin Caffey is a woman from Alba, Texas, who was involved in the 2008 murder of her family. At the age of 16, she convinced her boyfriend, Charlie Wilkinson, and his friend, Charles Waid, to kill her parents and two younger brothers.
2. What happened to Erin Caffey’s family?
On March 1, 2008, Erin’s mother, Penny Caffey, and her two younger brothers, Tyler (8) and Matthew (13), were brutally murdered in their home. Her father, Terry Caffey, was shot multiple times but managed to survive. The attackers also set the house on fire.
3. Why did Erin Caffey plan the murders?
Erin’s parents disapproved of her relationship with Charlie Wilkinson and forced her to break up with him. Angry and determined to be with Charlie, Erin believed the only way to continue their relationship was to eliminate her family.
4. Who were the attackers?
The attackers were Charlie Wilkinson, Erin’s boyfriend; Charles Waid, a friend of Wilkinson’s; and Bobbi Gale Johnson, Waid’s girlfriend. Erin waited outside in the car while Wilkinson and Waid carried out the murders.
5. How did Terry Caffey survive?
Despite being shot multiple times and left in a burning house, Terry regained consciousness and managed to crawl out of a window. He spent over an hour crawling to a neighbor’s house, where he was able to get help.
6. What was Erin Caffey’s role in the crime?
Though Erin was not physically present during the murders, police investigations revealed she was the one who planned the attack. Wilkinson and Waid testified that Erin wanted her family dead so she could be with Wilkinson.
7. What were the sentences for those involved?
– Erin Caffey: Life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.
– Charlie Wilkinson: Life in prison without parole.
– Charles Waid: Life in prison without parole.
– Bobbi Gale Johnson: 40 years in prison for her role in the crime.
8. Did Erin Caffey ever admit her involvement?
Erin continues to deny being the mastermind behind the murders. She claims she tried to escape Wilkinson but was forced to stay in the car during the attack. However, testimony from Wilkinson and Waid contradicted her statements.
9. How did the public react to the case?
The case shocked the nation due to the brutality of the murders and Erin’s young age. Many were horrified that a teenager could orchestrate such a gruesome act against her own family.
10. What happened to Terry Caffey after the murders?
Terry Caffey has rebuilt his life and found strength through his faith. Despite the tragedy, he forgave Erin and continues to have a relationship with her, visiting her in prison.
11. Why wasn’t the death penalty used in this case?
Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty for Wilkinson and Waid. However, Terry Caffey requested that they not pursue it, citing his faith and belief in forgiveness.
12. Where is Erin Caffey now?
Erin Caffey is currently serving her life sentence in a Texas prison. She will be eligible for parole in 2048, when she will be 56 years old.
13. What lessons can be learned from this case?
The Erin Caffey case is a tragic reminder of how poor decisions and unchecked emotions can lead to devastating consequences. It also highlights the importance of forgiveness and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.