Texas Mom killed by wedding photographer in unborn baby attack, Netflix doc reveals

A Texas mother was killed by her wedding photographer in a shocking case involving the murder of an expectant woman and the removal of her unborn child, as revealed in Netflix documentary Maternal Instinct, which premieres on June 12, 2026.

The case centres on Reagan Simmons Hancock, who was attacked and killed in New Boston, Texas, in October 2020 after her wedding photographer, Taylor Parker, allegedly targeted her in a plot to steal her unborn baby.

Prosecutors said Parker, who was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death, had faked her own pregnancy and believed she could pass off Hancock’s baby as her own after the victim’s due date approached, as per People.

Pregnancy Announcement That Turned to Tragedy

Reagan Simmons Hancock, 21, had announced in November 2020 that she and her husband were expecting a baby girl, sharing her excitement publicly as the couple prepared for the birth of their second child.

Hancock’s mother described her as deeply devoted to her family, saying she was “a mama bear” who shared a close bond with her daughter from a young age.

However, on October 9, 2020, Hancock was found dead in her home after suffering multiple stab wounds and blunt force injuries. Her unborn baby was also removed from her body.

Wedding Photographer’s Alleged Plot

Investigators said Taylor Parker, a friend and wedding photographer, had been posing as pregnant and developed a plan to steal Hancock’s baby after discovering she was due to give birth.

Parker allegedly visited Hancock’s home on the morning of the attack, where she carried out the killing before fleeing the scene.

Shortly afterwards, she was pulled over by police for erratic driving and claimed she had just given birth to a baby who was not breathing. Medical staff later determined she had not given birth.

Investigation and Conviction

Authorities arrested Parker following the incident, charging her with murder and kidnapping. She was later convicted of capital murder in October 2022 and sentenced to death, making her the youngest woman on death row in Texas.

During the investigation, prosecutors said Parker had fabricated a pregnancy using fake ultrasound images and false medical claims, and had searched online for information about pregnant women in the weeks leading up to the attack.

Documentary Revisits Case and Family Impact

Maternal Instinct, released by Netflix, explores the events leading up to the killing and features interviews with family members and individuals connected to Parker.

Reagan’s family has since spoken about the devastating impact of the crime, with relatives describing the killing as “evil” and calling for legal changes to prevent similar cases in the future.

Parker remains incarcerated in Texas, where she is awaiting execution after her appeals were declined.