38 Facts About Cheshire Murders

The Cheshire Murders: A Shocking Crime

The Cheshire murders, which took place on July 23, 2007, in Cheshire, Connecticut, left an indelible mark on the community and the nation. This heinous crime involved the brutal home invasion of the Petit family. Here are 38 key facts that provide a comprehensive understanding of this tragic event.

1. Location: The murders occurred in Cheshire, Connecticut, a town known for its safety and suburban tranquility.

2. Date: The horrific event took place on July 23, 2007.

3. Target: The Petit family was the target, consisting of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley (17) and Michaela (11).

4. Attack Type: The attack involved multiple methods, including strangulation, immolation, bludgeoning, child murder, home invasion, kidnapping, child abduction, rape, child rape, and arson.

5. Weapons: The perpetrators used various weapons, including a baseball bat to beat Dr. William Petit Jr., who managed to escape.

The Victims and Their Tragic Fate

The Petit family suffered unimaginable horrors during the home invasion. Here are the details about the victims and their tragic fate.

6. Deaths: Three members of the Petit family were killed: Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters Hayley and Michaela.

7. Injured: Dr. William Petit Jr. sustained severe injuries but managed to escape.

The Perpetrators: Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky

The two men responsible for the Cheshire murders were Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky. Their backgrounds and actions during the crime are crucial to understanding the case.

8. Perpetrators: Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky initially planned to rob the house but escalated the crime to murder.

9. Charges: Hayes was found guilty on 16 of 17 counts related to the murders, including murder, kidnapping, rape, and arson. Komisarjevsky was also found guilty on all counts.

10. Sentence: Both were initially sentenced to death but had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment without parole after Connecticut ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in 2015.

Background of the Perpetrators

Understanding the backgrounds of Hayes and Komisarjevsky provides insight into how they came to commit such a heinous crime.

11. Steven Hayes: Born as Steven Joseph Hayes, he was first convicted as an adult in 1980 at age 16. He was paroled in 1982 but violated parole conditions seven weeks later. Hayes was arrested nearly 30 times between then and the Cheshire murders, spending most of this time incarcerated. His last arrest before the murders was in 2004 for smashing a car window and stealing a purse. He was paroled in 2006 and met Komisarjevsky at the Silliman halfway house.

12. Joshua Komisarjevsky: A Cheshire native who grew up not far from the Petit home, Komisarjevsky had a history of minor crimes but escalated to more serious offenses. He had a fascination with the Petit family and had previously seen them at a supermarket, which led him to follow them home.

Details of the Crime

The crime itself was brutal and meticulously planned. Here are the harrowing details of what happened during the home invasion.

13. Crime Details: Upon entering the Petit home, Komisarjevsky beat Dr. William Petit Jr. with a baseball bat and restrained him in the basement. Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters were also restrained.

14. Bank Withdrawal: Hayes kidnapped Jennifer Hawke-Petit and forced her to withdraw money at a bank. After returning home, Hayes raped and strangled her. Komisarjevsky raped 11-year-old Michaela.

15. Arson: The invaders decided to burn down the house to destroy evidence. With Hayley and Michaela tied to their beds, they doused them and the house with gasoline and set it on fire, leaving them to die of smoke inhalation.

International Attention and Media Coverage

The Cheshire murders garnered significant international attention, with extensive media coverage that brought the case to the forefront of public consciousness.

16. International Attention: The case received significant international attention, with media coverage from CNN, HBO, and various other outlets. It was cited as "possibly the most widely publicized crime in the state's history" by the Hartford Courant.

17. Impact on Connecticut's Death Penalty: The murders significantly impacted Connecticut's death penalty. The case delayed the abolition of the death penalty in Connecticut, as many argued that Hayes and Komisarjevsky should face execution for their crimes.

18. Public Reaction: The community was shocked by the brutality of the crime. Dr. William Petit Jr. advocated keeping the death penalty in Connecticut and successfully lobbied state senators to hold off on repeal legislation while Komisarjevsky was still facing a death penalty trial.

Survivor's Experience and Law Enforcement Response

Dr. William Petit Jr. survived the attack, but the law enforcement response was heavily criticized. Here are the details of his experience and the police response.

19. Survivor's Experience: Dr. William Petit Jr. managed to escape despite severe injuries. He later described the event as a "personal holocaust" caused by two evil individuals who did not comprehend what they had done.

20. Law Enforcement Response: The police response was criticized for being inadequate. They were accused of sitting in their cars for quite some time before realizing the severity of the situation, which could have potentially saved two of the victims.

21. Lawsuit Filed: There were lawsuits filed against the police department for their poor response to the emergency. The lawsuit highlighted the lack of urgency and proper protocol in handling the situation.

Documentary and Media Coverage

The Cheshire murders have been the subject of various documentaries and media specials, providing detailed accounts of the events and their aftermath.

22. Documentary Coverage: A documentary titled "The Cheshire Murders" was produced to cover the case, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to and including the murders.

23. Public Information Officer’s Statement: Arnett Talbot, the town’s public information officer, noted that while hateful messages declined significantly over the years, they still occurred, particularly around the time of HBO coverage.

Impact on the Neighborhood and Dr. Petit's Life

The neighborhood where the Petit family lived experienced significant changes after the murders. Dr. William Petit Jr.'s life was also profoundly affected.

24. Neighborhood Impact: The neighborhood experienced significant changes after the murders. Many neighbors who witnessed the tragic events moved to other places, and most of the police officers who responded to the home that day either retired or moved on to other jobs.

25. Dr. Petit’s Life After the Incident: Dr. William Petit Jr. has largely moved on from the incident but still carries the scars. He has been involved in various advocacy efforts related to the death penalty and has spoken publicly about his experience.

Reflections and Daily Life of Joshua Komisarjevsky

Joshua Komisarjevsky's reflections and daily life in prison provide insight into his mindset after the crime.

26. Komisarjevsky’s Reflections: In an interview, Joshua Komisarjevsky expressed his attempts to avoid thinking about the crime. He stated that he tries really hard not to think about it and occupies his time with activities like drawing.

27. Komisarjevsky’s Legal Status: Komisarjevsky was held in solitary confinement on death row. He has seen Hayes passing by but has not spoken to him, each blaming the other for escalating the crime.

28. Komisarjevsky’s Views on Execution: Komisarjevsky expressed his belief that he might not be executed against his will and that if he volunteered, the state would execute him. He felt a responsibility to his supporters, who would be hurt by his execution.

29. Komisarjevsky’s Daily Life: Komisarjevsky spends his days in prison with two hours of recreation time and a television in his cell. He mentioned not speaking Spanish, which doesn't help him much with the Spanish-language channels available.

Public Perception and Community Reaction

The public's perception of Komisarjevsky and the community's reaction to the murders highlight the lasting impact of the crime.

30. Komisarjevsky’s Diary Entries: Komisarjevsky's diary entries were used as evidence during his trial. In them, he called Dr. William Petit Jr. a "coward" and claimed that he could have saved his family if he wanted to.

31. Public Perception of Komisarjevsky: The public perceives Komisarjevsky as a horrible person who committed unspeakable acts. His actions are seen as a betrayal of trust and a violation of the most basic human rights.

32. Community Reaction: The community in Cheshire was deeply affected by the murders. Many residents, including those who knew the Petits or their neighbors, were left with lasting scars. The case has become synonymous with the town's name, often being the first thing people mention when they hear about Cheshire.

Legal Appeals and Decline in Hate Messages

Both Hayes and Komisarjevsky have filed appeals, but their sentences remain unchanged. The number of hateful messages directed at Dr. Petit has also declined.

33. Legal Appeals: Both Hayes and Komisarjevsky have filed appeals, but their sentences remain unchanged. The appeals focus on various aspects of their trials, including the admissibility of certain evidence and the fairness of their convictions.

34. Hate Messages Decline: Despite the ongoing impact of the case, the number of hateful messages directed at Dr. Petit and his family has declined significantly over the years. This is attributed to the efforts of local authorities and community outreach programs.

Extensive Media Coverage and Community Healing

The Cheshire murders have been covered extensively in media, and the community has made efforts to heal from the tragedy.

35. Media Coverage Extends Beyond Trials: The Cheshire murders have been covered extensively in media beyond the trials. There have been books written about the case, including "The Cheshire Murders" by Andrew J. Schneider and Max Marcus.

36. HBO Documentary: An HBO documentary titled "The Cheshire Murders" was released, providing a detailed account of the case. The documentary includes interviews with key figures, including Dr. Petit and law enforcement officials.

37. CNN News Special: A half-hour CNN news special was also produced to cover the case. This special highlighted the international attention the case received and its impact on public opinion.

38. Community Healing: Despite the ongoing impact of the case, there has been significant community healing efforts. Local organizations have worked to provide support to those affected by the tragedy, including Dr. Petit and his family.

The Impact of the Cheshire Murders

The Cheshire murders left a deep scar on the community and the nation. The brutal attack on the Petit family on July 23, 2007, shocked everyone with its sheer brutality. Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky turned a planned robbery into a horrific crime, resulting in the deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her daughters, Hayley and Michaela. Dr. William Petit Jr., the sole survivor, faced unimaginable loss and trauma. The case brought significant attention to Connecticut's death penalty laws, eventually leading to its abolition. Media coverage, documentaries, and books have kept the memory of this tragedy alive, reminding us of the importance of vigilance and effective law enforcement. The community of Cheshire continues to heal, but the legacy of the Petit family and the lessons from this tragic event remain ever-present.