Breaking News: Convicted Child Killer Robert Fisher Dies in New York Prison!
Robert Fisher, the convicted rapist and murderer of 3-year-old Josefina Cunningham, has died in a New York prison.
The state Department of Corrections and Community Services (DOCCS) confirmed that Fisher, aged 34, was pronounced dead at 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday at Elmira Correctional Facility.
The cause of death has not yet been released, pending an investigation by the Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Fisher had been sentenced just two months prior, in Rensselaer County, to 20 years to life in prison for the horrific crimes of raping and killing young Josefina.
Her death on July 7, 2023, shook the community of Rensselaer, traumatizing not only her family and friends but also first responders who were involved in the emergency call to her home.
According to the prosecution, Fisher had gained the trust of Josefina’s mother, who left the child in his care the day of the tragedy.
Fisher drugged Josefina with medication belonging to her mother, then proceeded to attack her in an act of unspeakable violence.
During his sentencing, it was revealed that Fisher had tried to conceal his crimes by using Clorox wipes to scrub the child’s face, even rubbing off the pigment in a desperate attempt to cover up what he had done.
At the time of the sentencing, Rensselaer County Assistant District Attorney Antonia Edwards described Josefina as a bright, loving child with a vibrant personality.
She spoke of how Josefina’s teachers remembered her as a nurturing child, always playing with baby dolls and pretending to care for them.
Edwards painted a picture of a young girl who was full of life and joy, making her loss all the more heartbreaking.
Fisher’s guilty plea to second-degree murder and first-degree rape led to his conviction, but Judge Debra Young made it clear during sentencing that Fisher’s crimes were unforgivable.
She labeled Fisher “a threat to society” and expressed her belief that he showed no remorse for his actions. She hoped that any future parole board would look closely at the records from his sentencing and deem him unfit for release.
Fisher himself offered no words of apology or explanation when given the chance to speak during the sentencing, only muttering a single word: “No.”
Fisher’s death has sparked a range of emotions among those affected by the crime, particularly in the community of Rensselaer. On social media, many expressed relief that Fisher was no longer alive.
Rensselaer Police Chief Warren Famiglietti acknowledged these sentiments in a Facebook post, where he commented on the outpouring of relief from those in the community.
While he refrained from expressing his personal opinions, Famiglietti hinted that he understood the reaction, stating that it would be difficult to argue against those feeling a sense of relief.
Chief Famiglietti also praised the hard work of everyone involved in investigating Josefina’s death.
He concluded his post by reflecting that justice may have been served by a higher power and hoped that the people affected by this devastating crime could now begin their healing process.
The circumstances of Fisher’s death remain unclear, but it marks the end of a deeply troubling chapter for Josefina’s family and the Rensselaer community. Fisher had only been in state prison since September 23, following his sentencing earlier that month.
Chemung County Assistant District Attorney Anne H. Stark indicated that her office was awaiting the findings of the medical examiner’s investigation to determine if any further legal action would be necessary.
Fisher’s former defense attorney, Lucas G. Mihuta, could not be reached for comment regarding his client’s death.
The Rensselaer Police Department, which led the investigation into the 2023 murder, has not been formally informed of Fisher’s death.
As the community reflects on the tragedy, many hope that Fisher’s death will provide some form of closure for Josefina’s family and all those impacted by the loss of such a young and innocent life.