Man who attacked Fond du Lac woman with axe held on $5 million cash bond

The man accused of attacking a Fond du Lac woman with a hatchet on Sunday, June 22, 2025, has officially been charged with a whole slew of crimes and is being held in the Fond du Lac County jail on a 5 million dollar cash bond.

Hayden Daffinson is charged with Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, First Degree Sexual Assault, two counts of Mayhem, First Degree Reckless Injury, Aggravated Battery, Felony Intimidation of a Victim, and False Imprisonment after the attack which took place Sunday afternoon in the 300 block of Merrill Avenue in Fond du Lac.

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 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.

According to Flock license plate reading cameras, Daffinson left the residence and travelled briefly to Illinois before returning to Wisconsin. He was spotted in Germantown in Washington County where a short pursuit occurred before he was taken into custody.

If convicted, Daffinson faces over 190 years of initial prison confinement for the charges. His Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for July 31.