The Cheshire Home Invasion Murders: A Father’s Survival and the Tragic Loss of the Petit Family
The Petit family, consisting of Dr. William Petit, his wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and their two daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela, tragically became the victims of the infamous Cheshire home invasion in 2007. The family’s peaceful existence was shattered when two perpetrators, Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky, broke into their home, subjecting them to a horrifying ordeal that led to the loss of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, as well as causing severe injuries to Dr. Petit.
The impact of this devastating event extended far beyond the Petit family, profoundly affecting the local community and sparking nationwide attention. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Dr. William Petit, despite his own injuries and unimaginable loss, has shown tremendous resilience and strength, dedicating himself to advocating for victims of violent crimes and working to promote the causes of education and the support of those affected by chronic illness and violence through the establishment of the Petit Family Foundation.
