The tragic case of a 12-year-old girl who admitted to stabbing her nine-year-old brother, Xander, to death in their Tulsa home continues to unfold, revealing a deeply troubling family history. While the girl’s identity remains protected due to her age, police body camera footage capturing the aftermath of the January incident has offered a glimpse into the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
Police body camera footage captures the 12-year-old girl and her devastated mother in the aftermath of the stabbing.
The footage shows the young girl visibly distraught, repeating apologies for her actions. Her mother, April Lyda, can be heard expressing shock and disbelief. Lyda maintains that her daughter, who has been diagnosed with ADHD, did not have a history of mental health issues and was generally well-behaved. However, recent reports from the Daily Mail paint a different picture of the family’s background.
According to the Daily Mail, Lyda has a history of drug abuse, including methamphetamine use. While Lyda admits to past drug use, she claims to have quit when she became pregnant with her daughter. Additionally, the girl’s father has a history of drug use and has been in and out of prison. He reportedly also has ties to the Aryan Brotherhood.
Psychotherapist Dr. Robbie Ludwig discusses the complexities of the case on Law & Crime's Sidebar podcast.
The Daily Mail also alleges that the girl’s stepfather had a history of alcohol abuse and was involved in an animal cruelty incident in 2017. While Lyda declined to comment on these specific allegations, she did tell the Daily Mail that she always strived to protect her children from these issues.
Psychotherapist Dr. Robbie Ludwig, host of “The Talking Life” podcast, weighed in on the case during an interview on Law & Crime’s “Sidebar” podcast. Dr. Ludwig highlighted the complex interplay between genetics and environment in shaping a child’s behavior. She emphasized that while the girl’s ADHD diagnosis might have contributed to impulsivity and difficulty managing aggression, the troubled and often violent behavior of the men in her life likely had a significant impact on her psyche.
Dr. Ludwig also pointed out that the girl’s young age makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about her mental state. She noted that mental health issues can sometimes emerge later in adolescence, and that more information about the girl’s history and behavior from teachers and others who interacted with her regularly would be helpful in understanding the factors that led to this tragedy.
This case underscores the devastating impact of childhood trauma and the complex interplay of factors that can contribute to violence within families. As the legal process unfolds, it is crucial to remember that at the heart of this tragedy are two young lives lost, leaving a family shattered and a community grappling for answers.
