Netflix's latest true crime documentary, Maternal Instinct, has left viewers deeply unsettled. Released on June 12, the film recounts the terrifying case of Taylor Parker, who appeared to have a perfect life as she and her partner Wade Griffin prepared for their first child. Parker proudly showcased her pregnancy on social media and even held a gender reveal party.
However, as her due date approached, friends and family began questioning the pregnancy. The truth was far darker than anyone imagined. The documentary opens with Parker calling emergency services while driving with a newborn baby in her lap. She is pulled over by a State Trooper, claiming she just gave birth and needs to get to the hospital. Medical staff quickly determine she had not given birth and shows no signs of pregnancy. Police question her about the infant's origin.
Did the baby survive?
Sadly, the baby died after being taken to the hospital. Parker murdered the baby's mother, Reagan Simmons-Hancock, and removed the unborn baby girl, Braxlynn, from her womb. She fled the scene, leaving Simmons-Hancock dying and alone with her three-year-old daughter.
Before the murder, Parker had become close to Simmons-Hancock after learning of her pregnancy. Parker even took her engagement and wedding photos. The documentary reveals that the pregnancy hoax was part of a web of lies, including falsehoods about finances, health, and family. Before meeting Wade, Parker had undergone permanent sterilization. A year and a half later, a hysterectomy removed her uterus, making pregnancy impossible.
After the truth emerged, Parker was arrested and tried. In 2022, she was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Despite appeals, she remains on death row in Texas.
The Sands National Helpline provides support for those affected by baby loss. The free helpline is 0808 164 3332. Maternal Instinct is streaming on Netflix now.
