Landlord Imprisoned for Hate-Crime Attack on Palestinian American Family Dies in Custody
Joliet, Illinois – July 28, 2025 – Joseph Czuba, a 73-year-old landlord sentenced to 53 years in prison for the brutal hate-crime attack on a Palestinian American family, died on Thursday, July 24, 2025, while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office. Czuba was convicted in February 2025 of murder, attempted murder, and hate-crime charges for the October 2023 killing of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the wounding of his mother, Hanan Shaheen, in Plainfield, Illinois.
The attack, which occurred days after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, was motivated by Czuba’s anti-Muslim prejudice, prosecutors said. Czuba, who had rented rooms to the family in his Plainfield home, about 40 miles from Chicago, became agitated about the conflict and targeted the family due to their Islamic faith. Court testimony revealed that Czuba stabbed Wadee 26 times, leaving the knife in the child’s body, and attacked Hanan Shaheen, who survived the assault. His now-divorced wife, Mary Czuba, testified that his fixation on the war fueled his actions.
The incident sent shockwaves through Plainfield and its surrounding suburbs, home to a significant Palestinian community, reigniting fears of anti-Muslim discrimination. Wadee’s funeral drew large crowds, and local officials have since dedicated a park playground in his memory. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office, said in a statement on Saturday, “This depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well,” highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating Islamophobia.
Czuba’s death, just three months after his sentencing, has drawn attention to the broader issue of hate crimes in the United States. Authorities have not released details about the cause of his death. The case, marked by harrowing testimony and graphic evidence, underscored the devastating impact of hate-driven violence on communities.
For further information, contact the Will County Sheriff’s Office or visit the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago office website.
Sources: NPR Illinois, Will County Sheriff’s Office