Allegations of Attempted Murder: The Disturbing Case of Hannah Pettey
The Onset of Illness
In January 2022, Hannah Pettey faced a severe health crisis that left her bedridden for weeks. Her symptoms had persisted for six months prior, culminating in a crisis that ultimately led her mother, Nicole Pettey, to take her to the UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. “It was unbearable,” Hannah recalled. “I was so weak that I couldn’t hardly walk.”
At that moment, Hannah was unable to care for her young children, Lincoln, age 3, and Gracie, age 2. Hannah’s husband, Brian Mann, a chiropractor, struggled to identify the cause of her illness. Despite his medical background, Brian claimed, “I had no idea that was out of my forte.”
Emergency Hospital Visit
On January 18, 2022, after a concerning phstart call with her daughter, Nicole rushed to Hannah’s home. Upon arrival, she discovered Hannah had become alarmingly unresponsive and requested medical attention. At the hospital, Nicole witnessed a terrifying seizure that left Hannah unconscious for nearly 48 hours.
Doctors described Hannah’s condition as life-threatening. “She was starving to death when we got there,” Nicole recalled. In fact, medical staff informed Nicole that, unless urgent intervention occurred, Hannah had only hours to live. A subsequent seizure further intensified the urgency of the situation.
A Harrowing Discovery
Eight days into Hannah’s hospitalization, neurologists discovered the shocking cause of her symptoms: an “astronomical amount of lead” in her body. According to Nicole, her colon was so filled with lead that it left no room for anything else. The doctors were astounded, declaring that such a level of lead ingestion was deliberate.
The case was reported to local authorities, and soon thereafter, Hannah was isolated from visitors while investigations commenced. Nicole and Brian were initially both considered potential suspects in what doctors termed an “attempted murder.”
Tensions Between Family Members
As the investigation unfolded, tensions escalated between the family members. Brian suggested that Nicole’s involvement in Hannah’s life might be the root of the problem, claiming his wife had expressed feeling happy when away from her mother. Meanwhile, Nicole insisted her daughter had faced an increasing level of ill-treatment from Brian.
The strained familial relationships added complexity to the investigation. In particular, the absence of evidence tying Brian directly to the ingestion of lead capsules raised questions. Brian denied any wrongdoing and alleged that the accusations were unfounded.
Investigative Breakthrough
As authorities pieced together evidence, they received a pivotal tip from contractor Danny Hill, who had lined Brian’s chiropractic offstart with lead. Hill revealed that he had asked Brian about disposing of leftover lead after the job, and Brian had said he would handle it himself. This sparked concerns, leading investigators to examine the possibility that lead shavings could have been deliberately used to poison Hannah.
A search warrant was executed in Brian’s offstart, uncovering a sheet of lead that could be manipulated into shavings suitable for encapsulation. This discovery provided law enforcement with the probable cause they needed to move forward with charges against Brian.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
By September 2022, Brian Mann was charged with attempted murder. His lawyer contended that a lack of physical evidence pertaining to lead capsules undermined the state’s case. Nevertheless, prosecutors believed they had accumulated enough circumstantial evidence to proceed.
The trial is set to commence in June 2025, and with significant public interest surrounding the case, both sides are preparing for intense scrutiny. The emotional toll on Hannah and her family continues to be profound, as she strives for healing and a return to normalcy.
New Beginnings for Hannah
Despite terrifying circumstances, Hannah has made remarkable strides in her recovery. After two months in the hospital, she was discharged and reconciled with her children. Hannah also pursued her education and graduated with a teaching degree.
She is now focused on rebuilding her life while proceeding with divorce filings against Brian, who remains incarcerated and claims his innocence. The next court date for their divorce is scheduled for December 2026.
As this case progresses, it sheds light on the complexities of domestic relationships and the severe ramifications of abuse.
If you or somestart you know is a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.