Son found out his mother was a murderer by typing her name into Google (5 photos + 1 video)

Travis Holman, 36, of Sacramento, California, told the shocking story of how he accidentally discovered that his mother, Linda Holman, was serving a 28-year sentence for second-degree murder.





“I have always had a difficult relationship with my mother. When I was 11 and my sister Daisy was 13, she left us and went with her boyfriend Mark McCollum,” Travis recalls.



“We remained in the care of our aunt and uncle, but continued to see my mother a couple of times a year and communicate on the phone.”

Even though Linda abandoned them, Travis and Daisy stayed in touch with their mother. But in 2010, Travis accidentally came across a news article that turned his world upside down.





“I just Googled the names of a few family members I haven’t seen in a while. I knew my mom had a criminal record, but when I saw that she was charged with second-degree murder and sentenced to 28 years in prison, I was absolutely shocked. I immediately called my sister, but she did not answer. Then I called my best friend because I just needed someone to talk to."

As it turned out, in 2010, Linda shot and killed her boyfriend Mark during an argument. She claimed it was self-defense, but the court found her guilty of second-degree murder.

On February 16, 2010, police responded to a 911 call about a shooting at the home where Linda and Mark lived. Linda told police that Mark had made a remark about killing ghosts, and in response, she took a shotgun from a rack in the bedroom, placed the butt on the floor and brought the barrel to her chin. Linda claimed that Mark told her to put the gun down, and when she put the gun back, it discharged and shot Mark. Mark died at the scene, and Linda was charged with second-degree murder.

“According to my mom, there was a ghost show on TV and she walked over to where the shotgun was hanging. She grabbed him, said, 'I'm going to shoot the ghost,' and shot Mark in the chest," Travis said.



In June 2010, Linda was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree criminal possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 28 years behind bars.

“When my sister told me the verdict was in for second-degree murder and Mom would be sentenced to 28 years, I fainted. It was very difficult to go through. Even though my mother suffered from alcoholism and likely PTSD from being in foster care as a child, she was a very affectionate and loving mother.”

Despite the shock of the news, Travis remains in touch with his mother and says their relationship is "as healthy as it can be." Linda is currently battling breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy in prison.



“When she calls me, there is a common theme. We find out what each of us does and what we have been doing. She tells me about her battle with breast cancer—her second bout with breast cancer while in prison. She had a double mastectomy and is undergoing chemotherapy.

Besides that, we joke a lot. For someone who has been locked up for over a decade, she has an amazing sense of humor. From conversations with her, I can say that she repents of what happened,” Travis said.