California woman who teamed up with sibling to murder their stepdad is freed from prison 20 years later

A California woman who helped plot her stepfather’s murder as a teenager is getting a second chance at freedom — despite the victim’s final desperate plea for his life.Brae Hansen, 37, was granted parole Friday after serving about 20 years in prison for the 2007 slaying of her stepfather, Timothy MacNeil.Hansen and her brother at the time, Nathaniel Marcus Gann, who has since transitioned and changed their name Aerith Asora, were teenagers when they were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life for MacNeil’s killing.The siblings had plotted to make the murder look like a home invasion, according to court filings and the Daily Mail.In 2007, Hansen lived with MacNeil on Marraco Drive in San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood.The mother had died by suicide the year before.After their mother’s death, MacNeil began dating another woman, leaving Hansen feeling “unloved and worthless,” according to court records.Things boiled over when MacNeil told Hansen she would have to move out when she turned 18.Hansen called Asora, who was away at college in Arizona, and they began plotting to kill him.Their first plan was to hire a hitman.

They went as far as leaving money, their late mother’s gun and a spare house key outside the home.But when they couldn’t find a killer for hire, Asora decided to do the job.Hansen later told police she changed her mind about killing her stepfather after the hitman plan fell through.Asora wasn’t backing down.On July 19, 2007, Asora drove to San Diego, woke Hansen and told her she intended to go through with the murder “whether she wanted to or not,” according to court documents.Asora then shot MacNeil multiple times — above his right hip, in the face, shoulder and back of the head.He died at the scene.MacNeil’s alleged final words were, “Why are you killing me, Nathan?” and “Why are you doing this to me?”Asora fled, tossing the black clothes and ski mask they had worn into a tree before dri...