One of the most disturbing elements of this case is the web of powerful romantic connections surrounding Sarah Hornbeck.

Her past and present relationships include, but certainly are not limited to:

• A top T. Rowe Price fund manager, with whom Sarah had an affair while working for him right out of college.  He was married with 3 kids and 20 years his senior.
• Daniel “Beau” Engle, a former bartender and father of one of her children. Jeff later helped Beau in his own custody battle against Sarah. He has primary custody of their son. 
• Roy Kirby, a multimillionaire developer 25 years Sarah’s senior, who hired and proposed to Sarah after a month of knowing her, before a dramatic breakup.
• John Michel, her current partner, allegedly paying her legal bills using his late wife’s life insurance. Jeff and his son believe Sarah was romantically involved with John while he was still married, evidenced by her moving into the marital home a week after his wife was buried in August 2020.
• Dave and Doug Brandeen, twins with a history of substance abuse. Sarah reportedly lived with Dave and had romantic relationships with both, all after Jeff began a relationship with Dave’s ex-wife, Jen..
• A Federal Hill cop, Sarah, allegedly had a relationship with while involved in custody enforcement and immediately following her and her father’s arrests after both had assaulted Jeff in 2011.
• A 70-year-old friend of her father’s.
• Thiru Vignarajah, a married former candidate for Mayor of Baltimore.
• David Karceski, whose father, Richard, tried to represent Sarah in her criminal exploits.

These associations have raised concerns about undue influence and favoritism, and certainly Sarah’s promiscuity and character. In a system where perception influences decisions, Sarah’s proximity to power may be the factor shielding her from consequences.