Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric J. Toney announced that Judge Anthony Nehls sentenced Hayden L. Daffinson to 90 years in prison “stemming from a brutal hatchet attack and sexual assault on June 22, 2025 in the City of Fond du Lac.”
Toney is a former District Attorney of the year and the former president of the Wisconsin District Attorney’s Office. He is also a Republican candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General, who has prosecuted high-profile criminal cases while running for office.
The case was horrific. “Officer Maier applied tourniquets to both of Victim 1’s arms, near her shoulders in an effort to stop or slow what was believed by officers to be life threatening bleeding from the victim,” the criminal complaint says. “Victim 1’s head was covered in blood and there were several visible open gashes to her arms. Victim 1’s left wrist and left pinky finger appeared to be almost severed from her body due to the extreme lacerations.”
Officer Maier “asked Victim 1 who did this to her and she was initially hesitant to tell officers who did this to her. She stated that the person who did this told her if she tells the cops, he will kill her. Victim 1 said that her ex-boyfriend, Hayden Daffinson, the defendant, was the person that repeatedly struck her with an axe/’hatchet.’ Victim 1 stated she just broke up with the defendant prior to this occurring, that he was at her house to pick up some of his personal property, and that he attacked her with the hatchet prior to leaving her residence in a red SUV.”
Daffinson was sentenced to 60 years of initial prison confinement and 30 years of extended supervision, Toney announced. Daffinson was convicted of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, First Degree Sexual Assault, and Mayhem, all with domestic abuse enhancers.
“The brutal assault occurred after the survivor stopped dating the defendant. The defendant then conducted a premeditated attack, striking her 25 times with a hatchet during a sexual assault. She was left for dead when the defendant fled the scene,” Toney noted.
“This is a horrific example of the violence associated with domestic abuse and we will continue to stand with our law enforcement to protect woman from domestic abuse and hold those accountable committing these horrific acts of violence,” Toney said.
“The survivor’s life will never be the same, but she is alive because of her bravery and strength, which I hope is an inspiration to others. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are never alone and you can speak with someone locally from ASTOP at 92-926-535 or Solutions Center at 920-923-1700 or the National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text ‘START’ to 88788.”
