Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Homicide Following Brutal Hatchet Attack on Former Partner

Hayden Daffinson pleaded guilty to attempted homicide in Fond du Lac County after a brutal hatchet attack that left a woman with 30 wounds and broken arms.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 4:13 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WBAY

A Sudden Shift in Legal Strategy

The criminal proceedings against Hayden Daffinson took a definitive turn in a Fond du Lac County courtroom this Tuesday as the 35-year-old Ripon resident formally admitted to attempted homicide. Daffinson had previously pursued a defense centered on a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, but he elected to forgo that path in favor of a negotiated agreement. This transition to a guilty plea ensures a conviction without the uncertainties of a trial, providing a resolution to a case that has shocked the local community with its level of personal violence.

The Scale of Physical Devastation

The details of the assault provided by prosecutors reveal a harrowing ordeal that left the victim with permanent physical trauma. According to investigators, the woman was struck at least 30 times during the encounter, enduring a barrage of blows that caused multiple skull fractures and broke both of her arms. The extent of her injuries, which included deep lacerations to her head, back, and limbs, underscores the lethal intent of the attack. Medical reports indicate that the severity of the trauma required extensive intervention to stabilize her condition following the incident.

Survival Through Desperate Negotiation

The victim's survival was not merely a matter of physical resilience but also a result of a quick-thinking plea for her life during the height of the violence. Reports indicate that she managed to convince Daffinson to cease the attack by promising not to involve law enforcement agencies. This psychological maneuver provided her the window of opportunity necessary to escape the immediate threat and eventually seek the emergency medical care that saved her life. This narrative of survival highlights the extreme duress under which the victim operated during the commission of the crime.