WILL COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) — The Illinois landlord found guilty of murdering a 6-year-old Muslim boy and injuring his mother in a violent hate crime in October 2023 has died while in custody, just months following his sentencing to over 50 years in prison.

73-year-old Joseph Czuba passed away Thursday in the care of the Illinois Department of Corrections, as confirmed by officials from the Will County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Czuba was convicted of the murder of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the assault on his mother, Hanan Shaheen, stemming from an attack motivated by their Islamic faith.

Czuba’s death comes less than three months after a judge handed him a 53-year sentence for the deadly attack.

Back in February, Czuba was convicted on murder and hate crimes charges.

In court, prosecutors said the attack was a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, which had escalated greatly following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Czuba had been renting rooms to the pair in his home at the time of the attack.

Evidence at trial included harrowing testimony from Shaheen and her frantic 911 call, along with bloody crime scene photos and police video. Jurors deliberated for less than 90 minutes before handing in a verdict.

Authorities have not provided details on Czuba’s cause of death.