Spencer Bentley Brooks guilty of murdering mother, setting Warner Robins home on fire

Warner Robins man faces life without parole for murdering mother, setting house on fire

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – 32-year-old Spencer Bentley Brooks has been convicted of murdering his mother and setting her house on fire.

The Houston County jury delivered the verdict on Wednesday after a trial that began on Monday. Brooks was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and first degree arson. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with sentencing to be determined at a later date, according to a news release from the Houston County District Attorney.

On January 10, 2021, the Warner Robins Fire Department (WRFD) and Warner Robins Police Department (WRPD) responded to a fire at 343 Clairmont Drive. Firefighters found the body of Lisa Brooks, Spencer’s mother, inside the house. She was declared dead at the scene. An investigation revealed that five separate fires had been intentionally set inside the house, with one starting next to the victim’s body. An autopsy determined Lisa Brooks had been strangled before the fire.

Captain Kevin Kendrick of the Warner Robins Fire Department discovered the intentionally set fires. Detective Trent Vanlannen of the Warner Robins Police Department led the investigation, which revealed Spencer Brooks had been acting erratically before the fire and had mentioned plans to burn down the house. Witnesses testified about Brooks’ behavior, mentioning he smelled of diesel and was in a disturbed state.

Brooks was taken into custody after visiting a neighbor’s house, where he tried to fabricate an alibi, and then returning to the crime scene.

“That neighbor testified that she was woken up around 1AM and went outside to let her dog out,” the release stated. “She noticed that the victim’s house was on fire and called 911. She observed the defendant run into her house. She asked the defendant what was going on and he made a comment that he was going to be on the I.D. Channel – referencing murder mystery television shows. Inside the house was also the witness’s child. Concerned for the safety of her child, the witness, who did not know at the time that the defendant had murdered his own mother, agreed to help the defendant. She helped him concoct an alibi and observed the defendant change his clothes. The defendant left her house and walked back to his house and watched the fire burn. At that time, the defendant was taken into custody by members of the WRPD after a brief struggle.”

Letters found at the crime scene indicated a troubled relationship between Brooks and his mother, including financial disputes.

The DA’s Office says that at the time of the murder, Brooks was on probation for two separate felony cases and had been paroled from prison a month earlier.

The case was prosecuted by ADA Justin Duane and ADA Brandi Holland, with contributions from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Division of Forensic Sciences.

“This was a difficult case,” Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane said. “It’s not often that a man strangles his own mother to death and then sets her house on fire.”Due to the work of the fire department, Detective Vanlannen, and the rest of the Warner Robins Police Department, the defendant has been convicted of murder and will be going to prison for the rest of his life.”

District Attorney William M. Kendall praised the work of the WRFD, WRPD and GBI.

“This conviction ensures Brooks will not be in our community for at least the next 30 years,” Kendall said. “Criminals like Brooks do not deserve the freedoms which others enjoy. I hope this conviction and subsequent sentence will bring some closure to the family despite the egregious acts of Brooks.”