The Illinois man convicted earlier this year of brutally murdering a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy and nearly killing his mother has died in prison custody, as the New York Post reports.

Joseph Czuba, 73, had been serving a 53-year sentence for the fatal October 2023 stabbing of Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of the child’s mother, Hanan Shaheen, in a hate-fueled attack tied to tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Czuba, who was being held by the Illinois Department of Corrections, passed away on Thursday. Authorities did not immediately release the cause of death. His death came only three months after he was sentenced for the heinous crime.

Czuba was convicted in February 2025 of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and committing a hate crime. The charges stemmed from a violent assault that occurred inside his Plainfield home, where the victims -- a mother and her young son — were renting rooms.

Deadly attack followed Israel-Hamas outbreak

The attack took place just days after the Oct. 7, 2023, outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas. Evidence presented during Czuba’s trial revealed that he had become increasingly disturbed by news surrounding the conflict and blamed his tenants, who were of Palestinian descent and Muslim, for the turmoil.

On the day of the attack, Czuba confronted Shaheen about her religion and demanded that she and her son leave the home. According to Shaheen’s testimony, he assaulted her before turning on the child, stabbing Wadee 26 times with a military-style knife.

The knife was left lodged in the boy’s body. Authorities recovered graphic evidence from the scene, which jurors viewed in photographs and police videos. Due to the disturbing nature of the materials, monitors were turned away from the public during the trial.

Mother, son targeted for Muslim faith

During the trial, Czuba’s ex-wife, Mary, testified that he had grown visibly distressed about the war and often expressed fear and anger toward Muslims in the days preceding the killings. Prosecutors argued that this growing animosity directly fueled the assault on Shaheen and her son.

Shaheen survived the attack but sustained serious injuries. Her account of the events helped establish the role that religious and ethnic hatred played in the crime, resulting in hate crime convictions being added to the more serious murder charges.

A jury deliberated for less than 90 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. Czuba was sentenced on May 2 to over five decades in prison -- a term intended to ensure he would spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Young victim mourned

Wadee Alfayoumi was buried on Oct. 16, 2023, at Parkholm Cemetery. Hundreds of mourners turned out to honor the young boy whose life was cut short by a senseless hate crime. His death spurred shock and grief across the Plainfield community and beyond.

In the months that followed, local authorities dedicated a park playground in Wadee’s memory. The move served as a gesture of unity and reflection during a period when anti-Muslim sentiment was intensifying across the region.

Ahmed Rehab, head of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that while Czuba’s passing closes a legal chapter, the broader issue remains unresolved. “This depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well,” he lamented.

Lessons to learn

1. Be vigilant when political tensions rise: As this case shows, international conflicts can ignite local hostilities. Community members should be aware of potential backlash or hate-fueled behavior during global crises, especially if they belong to impacted ethnic or religious groups.

2. Report concerning behavior early: Czuba’s escalating agitation over the war was noticeable to his ex-wife and others. If someone in your life begins expressing hateful or violent thoughts, especially toward a specific group, it's essential to speak up and alert authorities or community leaders.

3. Know your rights and support systems: Minority and immigrant families should be aware of local organizations and helplines to turn to when facing hostility. While no precautions can fully prevent a hate crime, access to community support enhances safety and resilience. Still, victims are never to blame for the crimes committed against them.

Why this story matters

The murder of Wadee Alfayoumi was not only a personal tragedy but a communal one.

It exposed the lethal consequences of unchecked hate during volatile times.

The story highlights the need for compassion, awareness, and accountability to protect vulnerable communities from bigotry and violence.