Iowa Man Convicted of Murdering His Family Won't Inherit His Parents' $2 Million Estate

An Iowa man, Alexander Jackson, 22, was given three life sentences for murdering his mother, Melissa, his father, Jan, and younger sister, Sabrina, in June 2021. A jury found Alexander guilty of the three murders in January 2023 after he told authorities that a masked intruder shot him and killed his family at their Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home.

The Jackson Family-Jan, Sabrina, Alex, and Melissa Photo/KCRG

When the 22-year-old called the authorities to report that a masked intruder had shot him and killed his family, the police discovered he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the foot and other evidence and later charged him with three counts of murder. Authorities reported that Jackson's motive for killing his family was because his parents gave him the ultimatum to get gainful employment or move out of the home.

His attorney, Tyler Johnston, will reportedly appeal the verdict, claiming that authorities did poorly with the investigation and maintaining his client's innocence. According to CBS2, "Jackson said he'd been shot in the foot while fighting the alleged intruder over a Browning .22 rifle found in the home. Investigators say that the gun, which belonged to the Jacksons, is the murder weapon- and that two clear palm prints found on it are Alex Jackson's. The box to the gun was also found under Jackson's bed."

He was given three life sentences in prison. Because of his conviction, he cannot inherit his parents' estate, which is valued at $2 million. The assets will be divided among other family members.