Man Allegedly Tried to ‘Express Himself’ to Mom Before Beating Her to Death When She Didn’t Listen

A 38-year-old man from Wisconsin has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide following the tragic death of his mother, Cheryl Jenkins, who was 66 years old. The incident reportedly stemmed from a domestic argument that escalated dramatically, leading to the alleged fatal assault.

Hayward Jenkins was taken into custody on 24th February after police were summoned to a residence on South 44th Street in Milwaukee. The call was made by Cheryl’s fiancé, who informed emergency services that Jenkins had attacked Cheryl with a baseball bat and subsequently fled the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered Cheryl lying face down in a guest room, with a wooden baseball bat resting on top of her.

According to the police report, there was visible blood on the bat, and emergency responders attempted to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The room where Cheryl was found was described as cluttered, with indications of a struggle, including a broken metal bed frame. Blood spatter was also noted on the back of the bedroom door and on the walls, suggesting a violent confrontation had taken place.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner conducted an investigation into Cheryl’s death and determined that she had died from blunt force injuries inflicted by the bat. Her fiancé recounted the events leading up to the incident, revealing that Jenkins had arrived at the house the previous evening and had been allowed to stay in the guest room. He stated that he had not thought much of noises he heard during the night as he assumed they were coming from the upstairs neighbours.

The following morning, around 7:30 a.m., the fiancé discovered Cheryl on the floor and immediately called emergency services. Meanwhile, Jenkins had left the residence and was later apprehended at a nearby casino just after midday.

In a statement provided to police after receiving his Miranda rights, Jenkins expressed remorse for his actions. He allegedly told investigators that the argument with his mother revolved around issues related to silver coins and money, and he claimed that Cheryl was unresponsive to his attempts to communicate. Jenkins described his emotions during the altercation, stating that he felt frustrated and angry after feeling unheard. He reportedly claimed that his mother had brandished scissors at him during their argument.

Eventually, Jenkins disclosed to the authorities that he had retrieved the baseball bat, insisting that he did not intend to inflict serious harm on his mother. However, he acknowledged that he struck her multiple times in the head while she was seated in a chair, leading to her death. Jenkins conveyed a sense of guilt about the incident, admitting, “I was wrong for murdering my mother.”

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for 10th March, although efforts to reach Jenkins’ attorney for comments have been unsuccessful. This tragic occurrence underscores the complexities and potential dangers of domestic disputes, raising concerns about mental health and the need for conflict resolution in such situations.

The local community has expressed shock and sadness at the circumstances of Cheryl’s death, prompting discussions about violence prevention and resources available for families experiencing turmoil. As the judicial process unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and what measures might be taken to address such tragic incidents in the future.