NEED TO KNOW
- A Florida mom was found deceased in her home with “severe trauma” to her head in 2021
- Four years later, Samijo Hemans was found guilty of murdering his 33-year-old wife, Catherine
- Hemans accused Catherine, an athletic trainer who enjoyed crocheting and knitting, of performing “voodoo” on him
A Florida man who accused his wife of performing “voodoo” on him has been convicted of murdering her in 2021.
The victim, identified only as Catherine in a statement by the office of state attorney Melissa Nelson, was killed on May 20, 2021 in her Jacksonville, Fla., home after she came into the residence with her baby.
Her husband Samijo Hemans told police he killed her with a metal pipe, per Nelson’s statement.
The 33-year-old had “severe trauma” to her head, and she was found dead by Jacksonville police responding to the residence about a deceased individual, Nelson’s office said.
Hemans told officers that he had struck her with a metal pipe in the back of her head as Catherine was walking to her bedroom.
In the ensuing struggle, Hemans said, he regained control of the pipe and struck her multiple times.
He told officers there was no conflict or argument leading to the attack, claiming he killed her after “several years of her having performed ‘voodoo’ on him,” Nelson’s statement said.
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In an obituary shared online shortly after her killing, Catherine, identified as Catherine Lee Jackson, was remembered as a loving mom and an athletic trainer who loved putting together creative gifts for her loved ones.
“She was always making and creating something with her God-given talent,” read part of her obituary.
“Her hobbies were art, baking red velvet cakes, reading, crocheting, knitting and attending live Broadway plays,” the obituary read.
She leaves behind her son.
Hemans has been convicted of second-degree murder. His sentencing date has not been announced.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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