A 34-year-old Wisconsin man is facing a slew of felony charges after allegedly attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend by brutally hacking at her with an ax while picking up personal items from her home.
Hayden Daffinson was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide with modifiers for using a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
According to a news release from the Fond du Lac Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call for help at a home in the 300 block of East Merrill Avenue around 2:38 p.m. on June 22, 2025.
The caller, identified only as an adult female, stated that she had “been attacked with an ax, was actively bleeding, and that the assailant had fled the scene.”
When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered the victim, who appeared to have sustained “serious lacerations to her head, extremities, and back.” Officers responded immediately, providing life-saving care while securing the scene.
First responders transported the victim to St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, at the southern end of Lake Winnebago, for treatment.
Due to the severity of her injuries, the victim was airlifted to Theda Medical Center in Neenah, about 30 miles north of the lake, where she underwent “extensive surgery.”
Interestingly, the victim was listed as being in stable condition as of Sunday evening.
“Through intensive investigative efforts, FDLPD Officers quickly identified the suspect as a 34-year-old male,” a press release states. “Around 7:00 p.m., the suspect’s vehicle was discovered near Germantown, Wisconsin. Following a brief pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and transported to Froedtert Hospital for medical evaluation.”
Court documents obtained by Green Bay Fox affiliate WLUK revealed additional information about the attack.
“[The victim] stated that she had just broken 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,” police reportedly wrote in the criminal complaint.
After sexually assaulting the victim, Daffinson said, “F— it, I’m just going to kill you, because I’m going to prison anyway,” according to the document.
That’s when he allegedly attacked her with an ax, hacking her at least 25 times and leaving her with broken arms, multiple skull fractures, and wounds on her back, hands, and head.
“[The victim] advised that Daffinson was mad at her because she broke the relationship off but did not think he would do something like this to her,” according to the paper.
According to Green Bay ABC affiliate WBAY, the victim begged Daffinson for her life following the attack, telling him that if he let her live, she would not call the police and would fabricate a story about falling down the stairs.
Daffinson reportedly reached speeds of more than 110 mph while being pursued by police.
“This was a horrific act of violence, and our hearts are with the survivor as she begins her long road to recovery,” Chief of Police Aaron Goldstein said in a statement.
“Our Officers’ prompt response, the cooperation of our partner agencies, and the compassion demonstrated throughout this investigation exemplify the best of what public service stands for.
As a community, we must band together to support those affected by violence while remaining committed to promoting healing, safety, and resilience for all.”
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney told WBAY that the crime was the “most brutal attack I’ve seen as a district attorney.”
Daffinson is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail on a $5 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 31.
