Hayward Jenkins, 38, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the brutal beating death of his 66-year-old mother, Cheryl Jenkins, using a wooden baseball bat. Here’s a clear summary of the case from the criminal complaint and police reports.
The Discovery
- On February 24, 2026, around 8 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call from Cheryl’s fiancé on South 44th Street.
- They found Cheryl face-down in a cluttered guest room with a bloodied baseball bat on top of her. Blood splatter was on the door and wall; a metal bed frame was broken—unlike the day before.
- Despite CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force injuries, per the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.
Timeline and Fiancé’s Account
- Jenkins arrived at the home around 9-10 p.m. on February 23. Cheryl fed him and let him stay in the guest room.
- Fiancé heard a noise around 4 a.m. but dismissed it as neighbors and went back to sleep (Cheryl wasn’t in bed).
- At 7:30 a.m., he discovered her body and called police. Jenkins had fled.
Jenkins’ Confession and Arrest
- Captured at a casino around 12:30 p.m. that day.
- In a Mirandized interview, he admitted arguing with his mother over “silver coins, money, and her not listening.”
- He claimed she approached with scissors “like she was going to do something,” so he “flipped out,” grabbed the bat, and struck her multiple times in the head while she sat in a chair.
- He told police, “I was wrong for murdering my mother.”
Next Steps
- Preliminary hearing set for March 10, 2026. No comment yet from Jenkins’ attorney.
This tragic case underscores how family disputes can escalate fatally, often tied to financial stress. For more, follow Milwaukee outlets like WISN or TMJ4. What stands out to you about this story?
