The Horrific S.A. & Homicide of 3-Year-Old Josefina Cunningham

Jy’Quan Stewart felt Robert Fisher deserved to be put to death for the brutal rape and murder of his 3-year-old sister, Josefina Cunningham, in July 2023. New York abolished the death penalty in 2007, however, leaving only life in prison as his maximum possible sentence. The judge in the case sentenced him to 20 years to life in prison. Karma, however, reared her beautiful face, giving Josie’s family some peace in their hearts after their tragic loss. Fisher was found dead in his prison cell at Elmira Correctional Facility just one month into his sentence.

The New York State Medical Examiner has not yet released Fisher's cause of death, although it matters very little to Josie’s family. Nothing can bring her back, but the family can sleep better at night without Fisher around.

During Fisher’s sentencing trial, Stewart told the US Sun, “I wanted to attack him,”  after learning the brutal details of what happened to his sister in her final moments of life. “He needs to be getting the death penalty,” Stewart said.

Josie lived only three short years, yet made a profound impact on her big brother and other family members. Her bright eyes and beautiful smile made the day a little bit better.

The Murder of Josefina Catherine Cunningham

On July 7, 2023, Laquesha Cunningham headed for work, leaving Robert and Josefina at her apartment in Rensselaer. A mutual friend introduced the pair days earlier. 

Somberness lingered in the air when Laquesha arrived home that evening. Robert was nowhere to be found. She walked into Josie’s room, finding a horrific scene no mother should ever encounter. Her beautiful, brown-skinned baby girl lay in her blood-soaked bed. She was foaming at the mouth, covered in bleach, and had blue spots across her body.

Laquesha called 9-1-1, then Jy’Quan. He arrived at home in a Lyft, shocked by the scene. 

Robert arrived on the scene and was arrested for trying to access the crime scene and for interfering with an official investigation.  

On July 28, 2023, Robert was charged with first-degree rape and second-degree murder in Josie’s death. He screamed, “I didn’t do it”, as cops placed him in handcuffs and hauled him to the station.

Fisher’s Shocking Confession to Rape and Murder

Robert maintained his innocence for nearly a year while in jail awaiting trial. On July 9, 2024, two weeks before his trial date, Fisher changed his plea to "guilty."

Jy’Quan felt uneasy about Robert from the day he met him but was nonetheless shocked when he confessed, as this meant he had admitted to hurting his baby sister in such a horrific way.  

At his sentencing trial, Robert provided explicit details of Josie’s murder. He first drugged with Clozipine, Laquesha’s prescription medication, and then brutally raped her while she was still alive. Robert said after Josie died, he scrubbed her body with bleach in an attempt to remove DNA evidence.

Fisher Found Dead in Prison

On September 10, 2024, Fisher was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. He was transferred to Elmira Correctional Facility.

Prison guards found Fisher, 34, deceased at the facility on October 22, 2024. He was pronounced dead at 1:50 a.m. It’s unclear if Fisher died of suicide, natural causes, or murder, although another inmate - also a convicted sex offender- was found dead in the prison the same night.

Jy’Quan’s Fight to Reinstate The Death Penalty

Jy’Quan supports the death penalty for child rapists and murderers. He continues to fight to bring it back into law in New York City. 

He also wrote a book about his sister’s murder and his perspectives on Robert Fisher’s case.