A Connecticut man has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend, whose death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma to the head. Cole Theodore Werhan, 28, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the March 29 death of Janina Brooke Murphy, 26, whose body was found at the bottom of a staircase in Werhan’s Burlington home. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the homicide ruling on June 22, leading to Werhan’s arrest.**
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
Werhan appeared in Torrington Superior Court on Wednesday, where he was ordered held on $5 million bail. Murphy, a 2017 Duxbury High School graduate, had recently moved in with Werhan. Her mother, Beth Murphy, told local media that police informed her the death was not an accident, citing multiple injuries.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Prior Domestic Violence Allegations
Court records show Werhan had three other open cases, including charges for domestic assault and strangulation, involving different victims. In one case, a woman told police she met Werhan on the dating app Hinge and alleged he strangled and threatened her after their first in-person meeting.
Victim’s Background
Murphy’s obituary described her as a kind and loyal person with a “special gift for making people feel seen.” A private ceremony is planned for family and friends.
Legal Proceedings
Werhan is scheduled for a hearing on June 30. The case remains under investigation by Connecticut State Police.