Fond du Lac Hatchet attack nets suspect 60 years in Prison

The man convicted of attacking a woman with a hatchet in Fond du Lac in June of last year was sentenced in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Monday, June 29, 2026.

Hayden Daffinson was sentenced to 60 years in prison followed by 30 years probation stemming from a brutal hatchet attack and sexual assault on June 22 of 2025 in the 300 block of east Merrill Avenue in the City of Fond du Lac.

Daffinson was convicted of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, First Degree Sexual Assault, and Mayhem, all with domestic abuse enhancers.

According to the criminal complaint, Daffinson and the victim had just ended a relationship and he had gone to the woman’s house to retrieve some belongings. While their he attacked her with an axe\, striking her 25 times, causing severe injuries to the woman.

In addition to the many lacerations to the woman, she also suffered two broken arms and several skull fractures as well.

Authorities used Flock license plate reading cameras to track Daffinson. He was spotted in Germantown in Washington County where a short pursuit occurred before he was taken into custody.