Janette MacAusland faces two counts of first‑degree murder for the deaths of her 7‑year‑old son, Kai Prescott MacAusland, and her 6‑year‑old daughter, Ella Brayton MacAusland.  Reportedly, MacAusland and her husband, were in the midst of a divorce and custody dispute. 

According to police, the children were found dead in the family’s Wellesley home during a welfare check.   The medical examiner determined they died from mechanical asphyxia and acute intoxication involving multiple drugs, including the sleep medication zolpidem (Ambien), the anxiety drug lorazepam, and over‑the‑counter pain relievers acetaminophen and ibuprofen. 

Prosecutors allege MacAusland killed the children, then fled to her aunt’s home. She allegedly told her aunt, “I wanted the three of us to go to God together, but it didn’t work,” and later admitted to police, “I strangled them and tried to kill myself.”    

The next pretrial hearing is scheduled for December 2026. 

Joining Nancy Grace Today:


• Alex Sanchez - Criminal Defense Attorney, Website: AlexanderSanchez.com IG: BronxCriminalLawyer,  
• Caryn Stark -  Forensic Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice  
• Claudia King  - Former Law Enforcement Officer, Domestic Violence Expert; Host of two Podcasts "No Contest" and "Strong Enough," www.claudiamking.com, @realclaudiaking,  
• Dr. Jan Gorniak -  Fmr. Medical Examiner, Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner, Board Certified Forensic Pathologist and founder of: World Peace Forensic Consulting, LLC  
• Shannon Hill  -  Host, Shannon Hill News on Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube 
• Dave Mack  - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'  

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