SAN ANTONIO, TX – A mother who survived a brutal attack that claimed the life of her infant daughter and left her and another child gravely wounded continues to grapple with loss as her ex-husband moves closer to trial, facing the possibility of the death penalty.
Mariah Gardner, now 30, endured a nightmarish ordeal on April 10, 2023, when authorities say Stephen Clare, her former spouse, forced his way into her San Antonio home. Armed with a handgun and a knife, Clare allegedly shot Gardner multiple times and stabbed their daughters, two-year-old Rosalie and 11-month-old Willow. Willow’s injuries were fatal.
Gardner’s two sons from a previous relationship were also at home. In the chaos, the boys managed to escape through a window and seek help at a neighbor’s house, avoiding physical harm. First responders arrived to a traumatic scene and worked urgently to stabilize Gardner and Rosalie before rushing them to the hospital.
Family snapshots from just months before reveal a different picture, one of two young girls embraced by their mother, who had once believed she’d found stability after marrying Clare in 2021. However, signs of turmoil crept in, with Gardner eventually seeking divorce amid growing concerns about Clare’s behavior and threats.
The divorce, finalized in December 2022, granted joint custody of the couple’s daughters. Gardner later described an escalating pattern of harassment and intimidation from Clare, including stalking her and making disturbing comments about their children. Despite her attempts to set boundaries, she remained vulnerable to Clare’s unpredictable behavior.
On that spring afternoon, what began as a routine day for Gardner and her children quickly turned into a life-altering tragedy. Security footage reviewed by investigators allegedly captured Clare pursuing Gardner through the home before the violence erupted.
Emergency personnel who responded to the 911 call later described the desperate measures they took to save Gardner’s life as she fought to remain conscious amid her wounds. She underwent extensive surgeries, while young Rosalie required intensive medical intervention. Both eventually began the long process of physical recovery, yet the emotional scars remain deep.
Gardner’s grief over losing Willow is woven through her ongoing trauma. She has spoken candidly about her pain and the unbridgeable void left by her daughter’s death, describing the moment she realized she would never again hear Willow’s voice. For Gardner, justice means ensuring her attacker never regains his freedom.
Stephen Clare was apprehended a short distance from the crime scene. To date, court records indicate he has not entered a plea in the case. At recent hearings, witnesses have recalled his apparent memory gaps about the attack’s events, according to testimony.
Since the tragedy, Gardner has channeled her energy into raising awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and advocating for victims. As the legal process unfolds and a trial looms, she remains a determined voice for her surviving children and for Willow’s memory.