Landlord Joseph Czuba Dies in Prison After Hate-Crime Murder Conviction
Joseph Czuba, the 73-year-old landlord convicted of the hate-crime murder of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of the boy's mother, Hanan Shaheen, died in prison on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Chicago Sun-Times reported his death on Saturday, July 26, 2025, citing information from the Will County Sheriff's Office.
CAIR-Chicago Responds to Czuba's Death
Following the announcement of Czuba's death, Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' (CAIR) Chicago office, issued a statement on Saturday, July 26, 2025. He stated that while "this depraved killer has died, ...the hate is still alive and well."
The Heinous Crime: Attack and Fatal Stabbing
The brutal attack occurred on October 14, 2023, when Joseph Czuba attacked Wadee Alfayoumi and his mother, Hanan Shaheen, at their home in Plainfield, Illinois. Wadee was stabbed 26 times and died as a result of his injuries. Hanan Shaheen sustained multiple stab wounds but survived the attack.
Guilty Verdict and Sentencing
In February 2025, Joseph Czuba was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and hate-crime charges related to the attack on Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen. The jury reached a verdict in under 90 minutes.
Czuba's Lengthy Prison Sentence
On May 2, 2025, Czuba was sentenced to a total of 53 years in prison for his crimes. The sentence included 30 years for the murder of Wadee Alfayoumi, 20 years for the attempted murder of Hanan Shaheen (to be served consecutively), and three years for the hate-crime charges.
The Victims: Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen
Wadee Alfayoumi was a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy who tragically lost his life in the attack. His mother, Hanan Shaheen, was critically injured but survived. The attack deeply affected the family and the wider Palestinian community in Illinois.
The Perpetrator: Joseph Czuba
Joseph Czuba was the landlord who rented a room in his home to Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen. He was motivated by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate, fueled by the conflict in Gaza.
Community and Family Reaction
The attack sent shockwaves through the large Palestinian community in Plainfield and the surrounding Chicago suburbs. Wadee's father, Oday Alfayoumi, and his great-uncle, Mahmoud Yousef, expressed profound grief and a deep sense of loss after the tragic event.
Law Enforcement and the Judiciary
The case involved several key figures within law enforcement and the judiciary, including the Will County Sheriff's Office, the Illinois Department of Corrections, Will County Assistant State's Attorney Michael Fitzgerald, and Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak, who presided over the trial.
Context: Rising Hate Amidst Global Conflict
The hate-crime attack occurred against the backdrop of rising anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian sentiment in the U.S., following the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict. It was one of the earliest and most severe hate crime incidents in the country since the war began.
Testimonies and Evidence Presented at Trial
During the trial, Hanan Shaheen provided harrowing testimony, recounting how Czuba told her: "You, as a Muslim, must die." Czuba's ex-wife, Mary Czuba, also testified that he had become increasingly agitated about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Police reports indicated that Czuba stabbed Wadee 26 times and was found outside the house with blood on his body and hands.
Legal Actions and Investigations
In addition to the criminal trial, lawsuits have been filed over Wadee's death, including one by his father, Oday Alfayoumi. The U.S. Department of Justice also launched a federal hate crimes investigation into the incident.
