Landlord convicted in hate crime killing of 6-year-old Muslim boy dies in custody
73-year-old Joseph Czuba died Thursday while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, officials from the Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed Saturday.
Earlier this year, Czuba was found guilty of killing 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and wounding his mother, Hanan Shaheen, after he attacked them over their Islamic faith.
Mother stabbed in alleged hate crime attack is first witness in case against landlord
Czuba's death comes less than three months after a judge handed him a 53-year sentence for the deadly attack.
Back in February, Czuba was convicted on murder and hate crimes charges.
In court, prosecutors said the attack was a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, which had escalated greatly following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
Bloody crime scene photos play key role in trial of man accused in Palestinian American boy's death
Czuba had been renting rooms to the pair in his home at the time of the attack.
Evidence at trial included harrowing testimony from Shaheen and her frantic 911 call, along with bloody crime scene photos and police video. Jurors deliberated for less than 90 minutes before handing in a verdict.
Authorities have not provided details on Czuba's cause of death.
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