When you look back at the Delaware courthouse shooting of 2013, it feels like a fever dream of true crime tropes. Kidnappings in motor homes. International flights to Nicaragua. A grandfather opening fire in a public lobby. But at the center of this absolute wreckage were three little girls who didn't ask for any of it. Honestly, when people search for david matusiewicz daughters: where are they now, they’re usually looking for a happy ending that feels almost impossible given the trauma they endured.
The story is heavy. You’ve got a father, David Matusiewicz, a grandmother, Lenore, and an aunt, Amy Gonzalez, who were all eventually sentenced to life in prison for a relentless campaign of cyberstalking that led to the murder of Christine Belford—the girls' mother. It was a landmark case, the first time cyberstalking charges resulted in life sentences because they directly led to a death.
But what about the kids? They were just 7, 8, and 10 years old when their mother was gunned down by their own grandfather, Thomas Matusiewicz, while she was walking into a child support hearing.
The Immediate Aftermath and Protective Custody
Right after the shooting in February 2013, the state of Delaware stepped in fast. You have to remember, these girls had already been kidnapped once by their father and grandmother back in 2007. They spent nearly two years living in a cramped motor home in Central America, being told by David that their mother had committed suicide. Imagine the psychological toll of being told your mom is dead, only to be "rescued" and find out she’s alive, only to then have your grandfather kill her for real a few years later.
🔗 Read more: Can a Former President Run as a Vice President? The Truth Behind the Loophole
Because the Matusiewicz family had spent years trying to manipulate the girls and spread baseless lies about Christine, the courts were incredibly strict.
- The girls were initially placed in the custody of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF).
- Their aunt, Amy Gonzalez, actually tried to fight for custody, but the state shut that down immediately.
- David’s parental rights had already been terminated years prior, so he had zero say.
- One of the daughters has autism, which meant the state had to find a placement that could handle specific special needs while keeping all three sisters together.
The state’s priority was basically "disappearing" these girls for their own safety. They needed to grow up away from the cameras and, frankly, away from the toxic reach of their paternal relatives.
Life as Young Adults in 2026
Fast forward to today. It’s 2026. The oldest daughter is now roughly 23 years old. The youngest is 20. They are officially adults, navigating a world where their family name is synonymous with a "first of its kind" federal crime.
✨ Don't miss: Texas 3rd Congressional District: Why This North Texas Powerhouse is Changing So Fast
Kinda surprisingly, they have managed to stay entirely out of the public eye. You won't find them on high-profile TikToks talking about their "trauma journey," and they aren't selling their story to Netflix. After the 2015 trial—where the eldest daughter actually testified behind closed doors—they vanished into a life of hard-won privacy.
The testimony that the eldest gave was heartbreaking but powerful. She flatly denied the "abuse" allegations her father had used as a justification for his crimes. She told the court she had an "awesome" relationship with her mother. That testimony was a huge nail in the coffin for David, Lenore, and Amy’s defense.
Where they are living
The girls were likely adopted by a foster family or lived with maternal relatives under changed names. While there were rumors early on about them moving to Texas or staying in the Delaware/New Jersey area, their locations are protected by the same level of security usually reserved for witness protection.
Honestly, it’s the best-case scenario. If they were easy to find, the true crime community would have swarmed them years ago.
🔗 Read more: Elecciones USA 2024: cómo van realmente tras la vuelta de Trump a la Casa Blanca
The Psychological Legacy
Experts who followed the case, including psychologists who testified during the various trials, noted the extreme "parental alienation" tactics David used. When he kidnapped them to Nicaragua, he didn't just take them; he tried to erase their mother from their minds.
The fact that they are surviving today is a testament to the resilience of kids. But they aren't just "okay." They are survivors of a multi-year stalking campaign that involved their own father monitoring their every move through private investigators and GPS trackers.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Case
A lot of people think the shooting was a "crime of passion" or a sudden snap. It wasn't. The 2015 trial proved it was a calculated, multi-year conspiracy. The daughters weren't just the "prize" in a custody battle; they were used as pawns in a war of information.
The Matusiewicz family used a website to spread lies. They sent letters to the girls' school. They even sent letters to Christine’s church. The girls grew up in a "surveillance state" created by their own blood relatives.
Moving Forward: Privacy as a Form of Healing
If you’re looking for their Instagram handles or current photos, you’re not going to find them—and that’s a good thing. The state of Delaware and the federal government did something right here: they gave these women the chance to have a life that isn't defined by a shooting in a courthouse lobby.
They’ve likely changed their last names. They are likely finishing college or starting careers. The biggest takeaway from the david matusiewicz daughters: where are they now search isn't a specific address; it's the fact that they've successfully reclaimed their identities from a family that tried to steal them.
What You Can Do
If you find yourself following this case or others like it, the most respectful thing you can do is support organizations that help victims of domestic stalking and parental alienation.
- Support the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: They were instrumental in the girls' original recovery from Nicaragua.
- Advocate for Cyberstalking Laws: This case set a massive precedent. Keeping these laws strong helps prevent other families from being torn apart.
- Respect their anonymity: If you ever stumble across information that seems to identify where they are, keep it to yourself. They’ve earned their peace.
The Matusiewicz girls are no longer children. They are women who have survived the unthinkable, and their silence is their greatest victory.