FROM FOX NEWS: Cuban officials on Friday said that Joanne Chesimard, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper, has died in Havana decades after breaking out of prison and escaping to the communist island.
Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Chesimard, who was born JoAnne Deborah Byron and was also known as Assata Olugbala Shakur, passed away after living there for years under asylum granted by the Cuban government.
“On September 25, 2025, American citizen Joanne Deborah Byron, ‘Assata Shakur,’ passed away in Havana, Cuba, due to health conditions and advanced age,” the ministry’s statement said.
In 1973, State Trooper Werner Foerster was killed during a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike.
In 1977, Chesimard was convicted of his murder, as well as armed robbery, and other crimes. She was sentenced to life in prison, but she managed to escape in 1979.
She resurfaced in Cuba in 1984, and the FBI and the New Jersey attorney general each offered a $1 million reward for her capture.
“For years, we have worked with the State Department to bring Chesimard back to New Jersey, so she could face justice for the cold-blooded murder of an American hero,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan said in a joint statement. “Sadly, it appears she has passed without being held fully accountable for her heinous crimes.”
Trooper Foerster, who left behind a wife and 3-year-old son, was honored on social media.
New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster will forever be remembered for his honorable service and ultimate sacrifice.
Over 50 years ago, he was cruelly murdered in the line of duty by Joanne Chesimard—who tragically never faced justice. With news of her death, we honor the life… pic.twitter.com/paleGUUJ8n
— Congressman Tom Kean (@CongressmanKean) September 26, 2025
This is NJ State Trooper, Werner Foerster.
He was murdered by Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) in 1973.
Remember him, today🙏 pic.twitter.com/rOHAnrCb9l
— SeanJoseph19 (@SeanJoseph1978) September 26, 2025
Shakur, who was born Joanne Deborah Chesimard, died Thursday in the capital city of Havana due to “health conditions and advanced age,” Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. https://t.co/7B5KVLmTcU
— KTVU (@KTVU) September 26, 2025
In 1973 this woman murdered a New Jersey State Trooper and fled to Cuba. Her is Joanne Chesimard aka (Assata Shakur). I will not mourn her death as she killed a cop but neither will I stoop to the depths of depravity millions on the left did when Charlie was assassinated by… pic.twitter.com/ABnDHM07DJ
— Blue & White Grit USMC Style (AKA Tom) (@TriPSU91) September 26, 2025
The people who are giving praise to and saying “RIP” to cop killer Joanne Chesimard, were the same that cheered when Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
YOU HATEFUL SOULS!!!#JoanneChesimard pic.twitter.com/arYtAOA3Dn— Christopher Glynn (@SpaceMountain89) September 26, 2025
BREAKING: Cuba announces death of Assata Shakur, also known as JoAnne Chesimard, cop-killer on FBI ‘Most Wanted Terrorists’ list pic.twitter.com/5MuPNjFDKk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 26, 2025
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