Landlord Who Killed Palestinian-American Boy Dies in Prison
The man convicted of the brutal murder of a 6-year-old boy and the attempted murder of his mother, fueled by religious hate, has died while serving a 53-year sentence.
Joseph Czuba, 73, died Thursday in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office. Czuba was found guilty in February of murder, attempted murder, and hate-crime charges stemming from the October 2023 attack on Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother, Hanan Shaheen.
The attack, which occurred in Plainfield, Illinois – approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Chicago – sent shockwaves through the community and ignited fears of rising anti-Muslim discrimination. Prosecutors argued that Czuba specifically targeted the Alfayoumi family because of their Islamic faith, motivated by his anger over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Evidence presented at trial painted a harrowing picture of the events. Shaheen provided testimony detailing the assault, and her desperate 911 call was played for the jury. Jurors reached a verdict in less than 90 minutes. According to trial evidence, Czuba attacked Shaheen before turning on her son, Wadee, repeatedly stabbing the child with a knife – 26 times, leaving the weapon embedded in his body. The graphic nature of the crime scene photos prompted the judge to shield them from Wadee’s relatives during the proceedings.
Czuba’s then-wife, Mary, who has since divorced him, also testified, stating he had become increasingly agitated by the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. She offered crucial insight into his escalating mindset leading up to the horrific act.
The tragedy resonated deeply within the local Palestinian community, with Wadee’s funeral drawing large crowds. In response, Plainfield officials have honored the young boy’s memory by dedicating a park playground in his name.
Despite Czuba’s death, concerns about the persistence of hate remain. Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office, stated on Saturday, “This depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well.”
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of religious intolerance and the devastating consequences of unchecked prejudice.
