Familicide: The Crimes of Robert Sparks

Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault, violence, and human suffering. Listener discretion is advised.

Alright, let’s rewind to September of 2007 where a man by the name of Robert Sparks was living a relatively normal life—at least, that’s how it looked from the outside. But inside his home, it was a different story. Robert Sparks had a reputation for being controlling and paranoid, especially about his wife, Chare Agnew. By September 2007, Sparks’ paranoia hit its breaking point, and a Dallas neighborhood would become the backdrop for an unthinkable crime.

When police arrived at the scene, they weren’t prepared for the horrors they would find inside: three dead family members. 9-year-old Harold, 10-year-old Raekwon, and 30-year-old Chare. Sparks’ crimes were so barbaric, so personal, that even seasoned homicide investigators were unnerved. Even more bewildering were Sparks’ two stepdaughters 14-year-old LaKenya and 12-year-old Garysha huddled in a locked closet, traumatized with remnants of the previous night's horrors still on their faces.  What happened in the Rochester home that night sent shockwaves throughout all of Dallas.

People were horrified of the details of the crimes and all of Dallas PD was now turning to finding the fugitive who was on the run. A full out manhunt was underway. But what would unfold over the next weeks would add to the complex and totally bizarre components of this case: a mad car chase through Dallas neighborhoods, accusations of poisonings, and demands for secret audiocassette recordings to be used in proving Sparks' innocence. In this episode, we unravel the chilling details of the case, the trial that sparks heated debates about the crossroads of mental health and the judicial system. How do we judge the mind of a killer? 

Tune in on Friday, 2/14/25, for our sit down with Dallas PD's Joe King for a behind-the-scenes look at the case that shook Dallas in 2007.

 

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Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 

References:

WFAA. (n.d.). Defense claims convicted killer Robert Sparks is mentally ill. WFAA. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/defense-claims-convicted-killer-robert-sparks-is-mentally-ill/287-338776440

WFAA. (n.d.). In opening of Robert Sparks murder trial, details given about confession. WFAA. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/in-opening-of-robert-sparks-murder-trial-details-given-about-confession/287-338811523

Texas Executions. (n.d.). Robert Sparks. Texas Executions. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.txexecutions.org/reports/565-Robert-Sparks.htm

Fusar-Poli P, Sunkel C, Larrauri CA, Keri P, McGorry PD, Thornicroft G, Patel V. Violence and schizophrenia: the role of social determinants of health and the need for early intervention. World Psychiatry. 2023 Jun;22(2):230-231. doi: 10.1002/wps.21074. PMID: 37159357; PMCID: PMC10168150.