Inset: Joshua Popielarczyk (Farmington Police Department). The Connecticut home where Joshua Popielarczyk allegedly stabbed his dad to death last week (WTNH/YouTube).
A Connecticut man facing charges for allegedly stabbing his father to death last week has a history of violence, including a chilling incident where he reportedly assaulted a woman he met during rehab. Authorities recount that he dragged the woman out of bed by her feet while menacingly stating, “I’m going to kill you.”
The woman described her attacker, Joshua Popielarczyk, as having eyes akin to “looking into the eyes of Satan” right before the assault, as reported by CT Insider.
Documents obtained by the media outlet reveal that Popielarczyk, charged with his father’s murder in Farmington last Friday, was notorious for his “bizarre behavior” around the woman. She reportedly spent several days with him after their release from a rehabilitation center they both attended.
During this time, Popielarczyk allegedly indulged in drug use, experienced trance-like states, and exhibited erratic behavior, including pacing and talking to himself, according to CT Insider. His demeanor escalated to violence, involving physical assaults like pushing, hitting, and choking the woman, police claim.
The woman feared reporting Popielarczyk, worrying that he might overhear her call and follow through on his threats, as revealed in his 2023 arrest records. In a disturbing episode, he reportedly yanked her from bed, causing her to hit her head, before coercing her into accompanying him to his parents’ residence, police said.
In December 2023, Popielarczyk faced charges of third-degree strangulation or suffocation, leading to a conviction in October 2024, CT Insider notes. He was sentenced to 11 months, which was suspended, and he was placed on probation for two years.
On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, Popielarczyk allegedly stabbed his father, David Popielarczyk, 62, to death at the dad’s home in Farmington. A motive has not been released yet for the killing.
Police were called to the father’s residence at around 4 p.m. that day for a report of an untimely death under suspicious circumstances, Patch.com reports.
“Upon arrival, officers located a 62-year-old male in the living room who appeared to have sustained multiple areas of trauma,” Farmington Police reportedly said in a statement. “These injuries were later determined to be multiple stab wounds.”
Arrest and court records viewed by Law&Crime show that Popielarczyk was arrested on Saturday and charged with murder. He was being held this week on a $3 million bond and was still behind bars as of Wednesday.
