All 3 deaths ruled homicide; more charges pending

(AP) - State medical examiner has confirmed thatthe deaths of a Cheshire woman and her daughters in a violent homeinvasion were homicides. Autopsies determined that 48-year-old Jennifer Hawke-Petit wasstrangled

News 12 Staff

Jul 25, 2007, 12:52 AM

Updated 6,212 days ago

Share:

(AP) - State medical examiner has confirmed thatthe deaths of a Cheshire woman and her daughters in a violent homeinvasion were homicides.
Autopsies determined that 48-year-old Jennifer Hawke-Petit wasstrangled to death. Seventeen-year-old Hayley and eleven-year-oldMichaela died of smoke inhalation. Authorities say their home wasset on fire by two suspects who broke in early Monday morning, held them hostage for hours then tried to cover theirtracks with arson.
The lone survivor of the attack Doctor William Petit Junior, thehusband and father, remains hospitalized in Saint Mary's Hospitalin Waterbury.
The suspects were apprehended as they tried to flee yesterdayand were arraigned today in Meriden Superior Court on charges ofaggravated sexual assault, assault, arson, robbery, kidnapping andother crimes. They were both ordered held on $15 million bond.
Authorities describe both the men - 26-year-old JoshuaKomisarjevsky of Cheshire and 44-year-old Steven Hayes of Winsted -as career criminals with multiple convictions for burglary andlarceny. But neither have been convicted of violent crimes.
More charges are expected to be filed.
Related Information:Supectsarraigned in home-invasion homicides


More from News 12
1:49
Bridgeport church reported finding hundreds of hypodermic needles on parish property this week

Bridgeport church reported finding hundreds of hypodermic needles on parish property this week

1:34
Sunny this weekend, chance of storms next week

Sunny this weekend, chance of storms next week

2:13
‘You know who I am?’ Police video shows Bridgeport councilman’s ‘combative’ traffic stop

‘You know who I am?’ Police video shows Bridgeport councilman’s ‘combative’ traffic stop

0:26
Boat Camp introduces kids to the beauty of Long Island Sound

Boat Camp introduces kids to the beauty of Long Island Sound

0:16
Police: Norwalk man arrested for committing lewd acts against a family member in San Diego

Police: Norwalk man arrested for committing lewd acts against a family member in San Diego

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:42
 Real Deal: Natural gas, rent and medical care continue to increase in Connecticut

Real Deal: Natural gas, rent and medical care continue to increase in Connecticut

0:20
Little boy helps rescue dog in Stratford

Little boy helps rescue dog in Stratford

0:51
Norwalk celebrates 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Norwalk celebrates 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

1:57
'It's powerful.' NHL stars participate in Stamford fundraiser to raise awareness of suicide prevention

'It's powerful.' NHL stars participate in Stamford fundraiser to raise awareness of suicide prevention

2:08
63rd annual summer book sale begins at Pequot Library in Southport

63rd annual summer book sale begins at Pequot Library in Southport

0:31
Shelton homeowner faces charges after illegal fireworks cause fire to escalate

Shelton homeowner faces charges after illegal fireworks cause fire to escalate

1:57
Bridgeport Police Department swears in dozens of new recruits

Bridgeport Police Department swears in dozens of new recruits

2:00
Harris campaign highlights challenges female candidates face in CT

Harris campaign highlights challenges female candidates face in CT

0:14
Officials: West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes collected from Danbury testing site

Officials: West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes collected from Danbury testing site

0:56
Free life jacket station unveiled at Lake Simmons in Greenwich

Free life jacket station unveiled at Lake Simmons in Greenwich

0:43
Connecticut resident awarded Caregiver of the Year award at BrightStar Care in Norwalk

Connecticut resident awarded Caregiver of the Year award at BrightStar Care in Norwalk

0:32
Connecticut State Police rescue ducks from Interstate-91 in Hartford

Connecticut State Police rescue ducks from Interstate-91 in Hartford

2:46
Main Street Connecticut: Showcasing the best of Weston

Main Street Connecticut: Showcasing the best of Weston

0:56
Norwalk unveils new playground at Flax Hill Park

Norwalk unveils new playground at Flax Hill Park