Darnell Jamison Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Burning 7-Year-Old Daughter Alive in Tragic ‘Witchcraft’ Killing

Houston, Texas — A Texas father will spend the rest of his life in prison for one of the most horrifying crimes in recent memory — the brutal murder of his own daughter, whom he believed was possessed by witchcraft.

Darnell Jamison, 34, was sentenced this week to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of capital murder in the 2018 death of his 7-year-old daughter, Aliyah Jamison. The young girl’s burned body was discovered inside a torched vehicle on a desolate road just outside Houston. Investigators later confirmed that she was alive when the fire was set — making her death not only a murder but a slow, painful act of torture.

A Father Driven by Delusions

Prosecutors said Jamison’s descent into madness was fueled by paranoid delusions and irrational beliefs tied to witchcraft and demonic possession. Over several months, friends and family noticed increasingly bizarre behavior, with Jamison claiming that Aliyah was “cursed” and “sent to destroy him spiritually.” Despite pleas from relatives to seek mental health treatment, Jamison refused.

“He believed she wasn’t his daughter anymore,” said lead prosecutor Maria Sanchez. “He believed she was a vessel of evil — and for that, he killed her in the most barbaric way imaginable.”

Details of the Crime

On July 15, 2018, Jamison picked Aliyah up from her grandmother’s house, saying he wanted to take her out for ice cream. Instead, he drove her to a secluded wooded area. Investigators believe he used gasoline to douse the inside of his car before lighting it with his daughter strapped in the back seat.

The flames engulfed the car quickly. Witnesses called 911 when they saw smoke rising from the roadside, but it was too late. By the time emergency responders arrived, the vehicle was destroyed, and Aliyah was dead.

Autopsy results revealed that she died from smoke inhalation and extensive burns, indicating she was conscious when the fire began.

Overwhelming Evidence

During the trial, the jury heard chilling audio recordings and read handwritten notes in which Jamison described his daughter as a “child of the shadows.” Prosecutors played voice memos in which he spoke of needing to “cleanse her soul through the flames.”

Jamison’s defense attorneys argued that he suffered from untreated mental illness, but the court ultimately found him competent to stand trial. Jurors took only five hours to convict him on all counts.

Courtroom Reactions

At sentencing, Judge Lauren Blake did not hold back.

“This is a crime of pure evil,” she said. “There is no justification, no excuse, and no redemption for what you did. You stole an innocent life — a child who trusted you.”

Aliyah’s grandmother, Denise Carter, sobbed as she addressed the court.

“She was my sunshine. She loved to sing, she loved to play with her cousins, and she wanted to be a teacher. And he took her away from all of us. He took her away in the most monstrous way.”

Community in Mourning

The case gripped Houston and sparked national headlines due to its disturbing nature and religious overtones. Advocates gathered outside the courthouse holding signs that read “Justice for Aliyah” and “Mental Illness Is Not an Excuse for Murder.”

Angela Lee, a child protection advocate with Texas Child Watch, emphasized that this case should serve as a critical lesson.

“Aliyah should still be here. This is why mental health intervention and child welfare protections are so important. We missed the signs — and a child paid the price.”

A Life Lost, a Community Forever Changed

Aliyah Jamison’s death will not be forgotten. Her short life was filled with laughter, curiosity, and love. She was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, student, and friend. In her honor, a local nonprofit is launching the Aliyah’s Light Foundation, focused on mental health education and child abuse prevention.

As for her killer, Darnell Jamison, he will never walk free again — condemned to spend the remainder of his life behind bars, haunted by the evil of his actions and the child he was meant to protect.

May justice bring some measure of peace to those mourning the bright light that was Aliyah Jamison.