Brae Hansen, 37, has been granted parole after serving approximately 20 years in prison for the murder of her stepfather, Timothy MacNeil, in 2007. Hansen and her brother, Nathaniel Marcus Gann, now known as Aerith Asora, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. The siblings had plotted to make the murder appear as a home invasion.
Hansen lived with MacNeil in San Diego's Rolando neighborhood after their mother died by suicide the previous year. Following their mother's death, MacNeil began dating another woman, which left Hansen feeling neglected. Tensions escalated when MacNeil informed Hansen that she would need to move out upon turning 18.
Hansen contacted Asora, who was attending college in Arizona, and they began planning the murder. Their initial plan involved hiring a hitman, but after failing to secure one, Asora decided to carry out the murder herself. On July 19, 2007, Asora shot MacNeil multiple times.
MacNeil's last words reportedly included pleas for his life. After the shooting, Asora fled, while Hansen was found by police with her hands zip-tied. Hansen later admitted to her involvement during police questioning.
Hansen's release is partly due to changes in California law that allow for expanded parole consideration for individuals who committed crimes before the age of 25. Her first parole hearing was initially set for January 7, 2025, but was moved to August 21, 2026, after she was denied parole for three years. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan expressed strong opposition to Hansen's release, describing the murder as premeditated and motivated by greed.