Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
In 2019, the murder of 17-year-old American teenager Bianca Michelle Devins from Utica sent shockwaves not only across America but around the world, as her killer, her 21-year-old male acquaintance Brandon Andrew Clark, streamed it live on the internet. According to police reports, Devins and Clark had an intimate relationship, although both perceived the relationship differently. Devins’ sister described Clark as a close family friend, while others saw him as exploitative. Clark regularly supplied Devins with drugs, and when she was high, he shamelessly took advantage of her by having sex with her. The murder occurred after Clark allegedly saw Devins kissing another man. Devins’ murder received considerable attention in the media and on social networks, as Clark had posted photos of Devins’ body online immediately after the crime. The reactions on social media led to sharp criticism and ultimately to the introduction of new laws. Experts discussed the uniqueness of the crime and its connection to the structures of social media. Bianca Michelle Devins wanted to study psychology at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. She struggled with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress. These problems caused concern among her loved ones. She was frequently hospitalized for treatment of her mental health. She found comfort and connection in online communities. Clark, born on October 6, 1997, had a traumatic childhood. Once, he witnessed his father threatening his mother with a knife for several hours. When Devins’ mother met Clark, she found him to be polite and kind. Clark and Devins met on Instagram in April 2019 after he started following her on the platform. Police described their friendship as “personally intimate,” while friends and family saw it differently. Devins told her mother that she had made it clear to Clark that she did not want a romantic relationship with him. Nevertheless, her mother believed that Clark wanted a committed relationship with Devins. Some relatives saw Clark as a trusted family friend, while friends feared that he was sexually exploiting Devins, especially under the influence of drugs. Clark reportedly supplied Devins with drugs to secure her time with him. On July 13, 2019, Devins, Clark, and a mutual friend named Alex attended a Nicole Dollanganger concert in New York City. After the show, Devins and Clark returned to Utica. An argument ensued, likely over a kiss between Devins and Alex. Devins fell asleep in the car, and Clark began attacking her with a long knife he had hidden, slitting her throat. Devins died in the early hours of July 14. Her nearly decapitated body remained in the car while Clark lit a bonfire and listened to the song “Test Drive” by Joji. After Devins’ death, Clark called several family members. His calls resembled suicide notes, prompting his family to alert the police. He posted photos of Devins’ body on Discord with the message, “Sorry guys, you’ll have to find a new object of desire.” The police were notified at around 7:00 a.m. by Discord users who had seen the images and contacted Devins’ family. Clark himself also called the police, pretending to be Brandon. Not only did he make incriminating statements, but he also hinted at harming himself. When the police arrived, Clark stabbed himself in the neck and lay down on a green tarp covering Devins’ body. He then took a selfie. Clark was subsequently overpowered by the police and taken to the hospital. A vigil for Devins was held on July 15, 2019, and her funeral took place four days later. In July 2020, there was another memorial service. On February 14, 2020, a fashion and art exhibition was held showcasing Devins’ work. The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium was lit up in honor of Devins. Her grandfather thanked the community of Utica for their support. Under the hashtag #pinkcloudsforbianca, users shared photos and their own artwork of pink clouds to counter the spread of images of Devins’ body. These images were widely shared on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and were well received on websites such as 4chan, where they were celebrated as “another 4chan murder.” There were also jubilant comments on Incels.co and 8chan. #ripbianca briefly trended on Twitter. Some accounts promised to post the images in exchange for likes and followers, and fake fundraising campaigns appeared to profit from her name and death. The initial discussion about the murder was dominated by misinformation and rumors. Tweets by prominent Twitter users, one of which was shared over 16,000 times, incorrectly identified Clark as an incel. Speculation about the crime spread rapidly on X, YouTube, and Reddit, with users examining Devins’ history and attempting to explain the murder. Criminal justice professor James Densley expressed concern that the images could cause trauma to viewers. Devins’ stepfather, who was most harassed, reported flashbacks, and her sister saw the images in her mind before falling asleep. Devins’ mother said many people had been traumatized for life by the images and had developed PTSD. Instagram and Facebook removed Clark’s account and attempted to stop the photos from spreading. Facebook added the images of the murder to a digital fingerprint database and blacklisted the hashtag #yesjuliet. The Discord server used by Clark was shut down. Users who attempted to report the photos on Instagram found that they were not considered a violation of community guidelines. Instagram’s response was heavily criticized. By July 15, 2019, the story had reached mainstream media and made headlines worldwide. Devins had 2,000 followers before her death; by July 15, her follower count had risen to 75,000. Many highlighted the connection between the internet and the murder. The crime was discussed as an example of domestic violence against women and toxic masculinity. Some saw misogyny as a relevant context for Devins’ death. Clark’s behavior after Devins’ death was interpreted as a demonstration of control, including by her mother. Clark pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder on July 29, 2019. He was later charged with promoting contraband after officials found a sharpened toothbrush stick in his cell. According to Devins’ mother, he wrote a letter to a friend around that time describing how it felt to kill. This letter allegedly explained his motive: “He couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving his life.” On February 10, 2020, Clark changed his plea to guilty. His sentencing was scheduled for April 7, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 2, he requested to withdraw his plea, claiming that his lawyer had failed him. This was denied because he had admitted his guilt. His hearing took place on September 30, and a written decision was made on October 30. On March 16, 2021, Clark was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He has officially shown remorse for his actions. Devins’ mother, together with then-Congressman Anthony Brindisi, called for stronger measures against graphic content on social media. Instagram promised to share the results of an audit requested by Brindisi by August 2019, but he had not received any results by December. Brindisi called on the Federal Trade Commission to fully investigate the case. On September 21, 2020, Brindisi and the Devins family introduced the “Bianca Act.” If passed, social media platforms with more than $10 million in revenue and over 100,000 monthly users would be required to establish an office to identify and remove violent content that violates the platform’s moderation standards. Marianne Buttenschon and Joseph Griffo introduced a bill that would impose criminal and civil penalties for distributing images of crime victims with the intent to glorify or harass. In January 2022, the New York State Assembly passed a version of Bianca’s Law that criminalizes posting, sharing, or publishing personal images with the intent to humiliate or abuse under certain circumstances. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law in late December 2022. The Devins family established a scholarship in Bianca’s name for students who wish to study psychology. In early 2020, Bianca’s friends and family hosted the “Bee Gala” to celebrate her life, showcase her artwork, and raise funds for the scholarship. In July 2021, the Devins family sued the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, accusing it of distributing child pornography. They had learned from documentary filmmakers that the district attorney had provided them with footage of Devins’ death, as well as footage of her having sex and the contents of her phone, including nude photos. Allegedly, a YouTube blogger was also provided with this material after a FOIL request. Devins’ murder continues to cause a stir to this day, not only casting a dubious light on social media, but also still sparking discussion and controversy about the distribution of photos and footage of crime victims.
