California Father Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder After Driving Off Cliff with Twin Daughters

A California man is facing a 31-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to a horrific attempted murder-suicide in which he drove off a cliff with his 2-year-old twin daughters in June 2020. Robert Brians, 51, admitted to charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, child abuse, and domestic violence during a court hearing on Friday, August 9, according to reports from the San Diego Union-Tribune, FOX 5, and NBC 7. His guilty plea is part of a deal that resulted in other charges being dropped in exchange for a lesser sentence. The terrifying incident occurred in the early hours of June 13, 2020, when Brians' wife frantically called the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, reporting that her husband had taken their twin daughters and was threatening to kill them by driving off a cliff. Authorities responded quickly, and within hours, they located Brians and his truck at the bottom of a cliff in San Diego. The twins, who were just 2 years old at the time, were rescued by officer Jonathan Wiese, who described the scene to NBC 7: "He had both girls. He was holding them and trying to tread water, but they were all going under. One was awake and crying, the other one was pretty lifeless.” One of the girls suffered severe injuries, including brain damage, as confirmed by authorities during a preliminary hearing. Brians' actions were premeditated, as evidenced by the disturbing text messages he sent to his wife shortly before driving off the cliff. In one of the messages, he chillingly wrote, "The girls are going to Heaven and I’m going to Hell to wait for you." He also posted a message on Facebook just minutes before the attempted murder, stating, "Tonight, I’m sending my babies to Heaven." Following the incident, Brians was arrested and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, after years of legal proceedings, he accepted a plea deal on August 9, 2024, acknowledging his guilt in exchange for a reduced sentence. The girls' mother, who has been a central figure throughout the investigation and court proceedings, expressed her relief during the hearing, saying, "Thank you for the closure." The legal process shed light on the severity of the situation and the premeditated nature of Brians' actions. Authorities revealed that after taking the children, Brians exchanged angry text messages with his wife, outlining his plans and making it clear that he intended to harm both his daughters and himself. In addition to the text messages, Brians' Facebook post, which was made just minutes before the tragic event, further demonstrated his intent. The post read, "Tonight, I’m sending my babies to Heaven," indicating a clear plan to end the lives of his children and himself. Despite the trauma of the incident, the twins have been recovering, with family members expressing gratitude for their progress. A GoFundMe page set up for the girls shortly after the incident indicated that they were receiving the care they needed and were showing signs of improvement. Brians is scheduled to be sentenced in September 2024, where he will likely face 31 years in prison for his crimes. The case has drawn significant attention due to the harrowing details and the ultimate survival of the two young girls. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the sentencing will take place in the coming weeks, bringing some closure to a case that has deeply impacted all involved. The attempted murder-suicide has left a lasting mark on the community and serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and mental health crises. #RobertBrians #AttemptedMurder #TwinDaughters #SanDiego #DomesticViolence #ChildAbuse #JusticeServed Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com