ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

NEW DETAILS: Couple's twisted plan to make millions off their 13 starving children

David and Louise Turpin had plans for a reality TV show - by that's life!
  • 22 Jan 2018
NEW DETAILS: Couple's twisted plan to make millions off their 13 starving children
Facebook

The couple whose 13 children were found starved and chained to their beds reportedly had plans to 'make millions' from a reality TV show and wanted more children.

David and Louise Turpin are accused of shackling their children - aging from 2 to 29 - inside their own home and depriving them of showers and regular meals.

Their shocking actions were only uncovered when their 17-year-old daughter escaped through a window and alerted authorities.

Now, Louise Turpin's half brother, Billy Lambert, has revealed it was Louise's dream to be famous one day.

'She used to say how they would be perfect for TV and would often ­mention they would be bigger than the reality show Kate Plus 8,' he told the Sunday People in the Mirror, referring to the popular American TV show about a couple raising 8 children.

'It is the reason they moved to California to be nearer to Hollywood.'

Lambert also said the couple planned to have more children.

David and Louise Turpin's children have all been taken into care

David and Louise Turpin's children have all been taken into care

'Only last month Louise told me her and David were planning to have another child,' Lambert said.

'I asked her why on earth they wanted more children and she said about wanting a reality TV show.

'They didn’t care about the kids – it was all about them.'

Lambert said, up until their arrest, he thought his sister and her husband had the perfect life and that he was completely blindsided by the allegations against them.

'I will never speak to her (Louise) again. She is dead to me,' he said.

David and Louise Turpin after their arrest

David and Louise Turpin after their arrest

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The couple were charged with 12 counts of torture, seven counts of abuse of a dependent adult, six counts of child abuse or neglect and 12 counts of false imprisonment for crimes dating back to 2010.

David Turpin is also charged with performing a lewd act on a child, but the couple have plead not guilty to all charges and are awaiting trial.

Last week, sick details about the family's living conditions emerged.

Riverside County district attorney Mike Hestrin said the children were tied up with ropes by their parents, and restrained by chains and padlocks when one sibling managed to break free.

He told press the children had not been allowed to shower more than once a year.

The district attorney said the parents would bring food home for themselves but would not allow their children to eat; the 29-year-old female sibling is said to have weighed just 37 kilos. 

'They would buy food including pies, apple pies, pumpkin pies, leave it on the counter, let the children look at it, but not eat the food,' Mr Hestrin said.

Daily Mirror on Twitter

The 17-year-old girl who escaped from the family’s house to call the police and reveal the alleged abuse, was so emaciated she appeared to be only 10, authorities said.

David and Louise Turpin both remain behind bars awaiting trial.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

House of horrors: Evil parents kept their 12 kids locked up in CHAINS

House of horrors: Evil parents kept their 12 kids locked up in CHAINS

Teen who escaped 'house of horrors' had a secret YouTube channel

Teen who escaped 'house of horrors' had a secret YouTube channel

'House Of Horrors' parents reportedly planned to move 'within days'

'House Of Horrors' parents reportedly planned to move 'within days'

House of horrors: My parents were Fred and Rose West

House of horrors: My parents were Fred and Rose West

{headline}

{headline}

Evil cannibal mum – she sliced up her own kids!

Evil cannibal mum – she sliced up her own kids!

House of horrors: An evil killer hid in the walls of this mum’s home

House of horrors: An evil killer hid in the walls of this mum’s home

Sister of House of Horrors mum reveals new details

Sister of House of Horrors mum reveals new details

{headline}

{headline}

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!