The story of Mary Lin Kuei Tennent Brown is a harrowing account of a long-term obsession that culminated in a preventable tragedy. Born in 1950 in Charleston, South Carolina, Mary was a woman known for her kindness, independence, and professional success. As a dedicated French teacher, she was beloved by her students and colleagues alike. After a divorce from her first husband, with whom she had a daughter named Jane, Mary sought to rebuild her life while maintaining her autonomy.
In the late 1970s, Mary entered a relationship with Edmonds Tennent Brown III, a respected attorney from a prominent local family. Edmonds had two children from a previous marriage, including a son, Edmonds Tennent Brown IV, who went by the nickname "Ten." At the age of ten, Ten was already described as socially awkward and isolated. While Mary attempted to welcome him into their blended family, Ten’s interest in her quickly shifted from a need for motherly attention to a disturbing, possessive fixation.
As Ten grew older, his behavior became increasingly alarming. He began stealing Mary’s personal items, specifically her undergarments. This obsessive behavior, combined with Ten's unsettling presence, eventually led Mary to end her relationship with Edmonds III. Despite the breakup, Ten’s obsession did not fade; it intensified. He began a years-long campaign of stalking, often standing outside Mary's home for hours, watching her through the windows with a vacant, unsettling gaze.
The situation escalated when Ten began breaking into Mary's home to steal clothing and makeup. After he successfully bypassed a newly installed security system, Mary contacted the authorities. A police search of Ten’s residence revealed a disturbing "shrine" dedicated to Mary, featuring her photographs surrounded by candles, along with her stolen belongings. Ten was arrested and eventually spent time in a psychiatric facility and a correctional institution.
The tragedy reached its peak in November 2003. Ten was released from custody, but a bureaucratic failure meant that Mary was not immediately warned. While a notification letter had been mailed, it did not reach her in time. On November 14, after Mary failed to appear for work, her daughter Jane discovered her body in the bathtub of her home. Mary had been bound with duct tape, strangled, and sexually assaulted.
The investigation revealed the true, bizarre depth of Ten’s obsession. When he was apprehended that same evening near Mary’s house, he was carrying her car keys and an updated driver’s license where he had listed her home as his own address. Most disturbingly, he was wearing her clothes. Evidence found in his possession and home showed that he had been practicing Mary’s signature and had used her credit card to order a wig, makeup kits, and breast implants. His ultimate goal was not just to be with Mary, but to effectively replace her and "become" her.
Ten was sentenced to life in prison. In later years, he attempted to distance himself from the crime, claiming his actions were tied to a desire for gender transition and that his confession had been coerced. However, his appeals were unsuccessful.
The legacy of this case led to a significant change in South Carolina's legal system. In 2005, "Mary’s Law" was passed, a piece of legislation designed to prevent similar tragedies. The law mandates that victims or their families must be notified by telephone on the same day a dangerous offender is released from custody, ensuring that no one else is left unaware of a potential threat to their safety.
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