David Brom, who killed four members of his family with an ax in 1988, released from prison

David Brom, who was a teenager when he killed four members of his family with an ax in their Rochester home, was released early Tuesday from the correctional facility in Lino Lakes.

His status on the Department of Corrections’ website changed to indicate Brom had been assigned to work release. It previously listed him as incarcerated at Lino Lakes.

Brom, 53, will move to a halfway house in the Twin Cities. He will be on work release and subject to GPS monitoring and supervision, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

He was originally given three life sentences — 17½ years per charge — and was expected to be in prison into his 70s. In 2023, the Legislature reduced the minimum time for imprisonment for offenders who were given life sentences when they were under the age of 18.

This made Brom, who was 16 at the time of the crimes, eligible for parole.

The DOC would not say when Brom will be released, citing security reasons. His case worker did not return a phone call.

Brom was convicted of using an ax to kill his father, Bernard; his mother, Paulette; younger sister, Diane, 13; and younger brother Richard, 11, in February 1988. He was a sophomore at Lourdes High School at the time and had expressed to his friends that he had troubles at home.

Brom had one infraction in 37 years in prison: He had too many people in his cell.

Earlier this year, he told the Supervised Release Board that he had a poor attitude during his early years of incarceration, but began to take advantage of educational offerings and mentorship.

“I did not want to disappoint my grandparents after I had harmed them so much by continuing destructive behavior,” he said in the remote interview in January. “That was a strong motivator for me as well, early in my incarceration.”