Wisconsin – In a horrific case out of Wisconsin, a 60-year-old man, identified as C. Granahan, is facing serious charges after his 61-year-old neighbor and former romantic partner died from brutal injuries inflicted by him during a violent attack. Granahan has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide, physical abuse of an elder person using a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct with increased penalties due to the victim’s age and the use of a weapon.
The charges stem from an incident on April 25, when Granahan reportedly went to his neighbor’s apartment in the early morning hours to ask about a missing cigarette case. When the woman said she didn’t know where it was, Granahan allegedly became enraged. According to court documents, he threw her to the ground, stomped on her chest, and threatened to break her neck. The attack escalated further when Granahan reportedly grabbed a large knife and began sawing at the back of her neck, telling her, “I’m going to cut your head off.”
Despite the severity of her injuries, the woman survived long enough to give a detailed statement to police after her caregiver discovered her bleeding and in pain later that day. She was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for a large cut to the back of her neck, facial bruising, bruises on her chest, and a wound to her thumb, which authorities believe was a defensive injury sustained while trying to stop the attack.
She told officers that Granahan stomped on her chest, threatened her, and repeatedly tried to saw through her neck with the knife, only stopping when he realized he could not cut through bone. He then reportedly set the knife down and resumed searching for his cigarette case, leaving the apartment shortly afterward. Police documented the injuries and found clear signs of an assault. Her daughter told investigators that on April 29, the woman’s condition suddenly worsened, requiring emergency brain surgery to stop internal bleeding. Following the operation, the victim fell into a coma-like state and never regained consciousness. She died on May 8. A forensic autopsy later determined that the woman died from blunt force trauma to the head, directly linking her death to the April 25 assault.
This was not the first troubling incident between Granahan and the woman. According to court records, they had dated on and off since 2023, and just weeks before the fatal assault, Granahan had allegedly hit her in the head with a cigarette rolling machine, leaving a visible bruise. That earlier attack was reported to authorities, but no charges were filed at the time.
Granahan has since been committed to a mental health institute, where he is undergoing treatment. His attorney told the court that medications have “stabilized” his condition. However, the judge overseeing the case found probable cause to move forward and set a $250,000 cash bond. Granahan has also been ordered not to possess any weapons and to take all prescribed medications. Granahan is currently being held at the county jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 3 for arraignment. If convicted on the first-degree reckless homicide charge, he could face up to 60 years in prison. The additional felony charges carry a combined maximum of 17 years, with further penalties added due to the victim’s age and the use of a weapon.
The shocking details of this case have prompted grief and outrage throughout the community. The woman’s identity has not been released publicly, but those close to her have expressed frustration over what they see as missed opportunities to protect her. The violent nature of the attack and Granahan’s past behavior have intensified public scrutiny over how earlier reports were handled. As the legal process unfolds, the family and community hope for justice for the victim—who, according to police records, endured a horrifying final encounter with someone she had once trusted.
