Two inmates locked up for child sex crimes died on the same day last week at an upstate New York prison.
William Brand and Robert Fisher were declared dead at 2:52 a.m. and 1:50 a.m., respectively, on Oct. 22 at the Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County, New York, CBS6 Albany reported, citing the state Department of Corrections.
The Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office has not announced the cause of death for either man.
Fisher, 34, was convicted of drugging, raping and murdering a 3-year-old girl in July 2023 — and was one month into his 20 years to life behind bars, according to another CBS6 report.
Brand, 51, was arrested back in April for course of sexual conduct against a child, according to WRGB Albany and state prison records.
He was serving a 10-year sentence and had arrived at Elmira on Oct. 10, according to state prison records.
Fisher was introduced to Laquesha Cunningham, mother to toddler Josefina Cunningham, by a neighbor in Rensselaer County, according to local reports.
Facility in the early hours of Oct. 22. Rensselaer City Police Dept
A few days after befriending Laquesha, Fisher stole her prescription medication and used it to drug Josefina before he raped the little girl, according to the district attorney’s office.
“The defendant took the medication prescribed to Laquesha, crushed it up, and put it in a cup for Josie to drink. He drugged her, went into her bedroom and raped her,” District Attorney Antonia Edwards said in a statement, as reported by CBS6 Albany.
“He did this all while she was alive and awake; we only know that now because of autopsy results,” she added.
Some of the details of Fisher’s inhumane crime were too gruesome to be shared in court, according to CBS6 Albany.
Rensselaer Police Chief Warren Famigletti told the outlet, “Seeing the pictures of Josie’s face after what the defendant did to her was mortifying. Those images will be ingrained into the minds forever for those who saw them.”
“It is my sincere hope that Robert Fisher never gets the opportunity to take a peaceful breath on this earth,” Famiglietti added.
Famiglietti took to Facebook in the wake of the news of Fisher’s death.
“On behalf of the Rensselaer Police Department, I would like to announce the death of admitted Child Murderer, Rapist and Predator, Robert Fisher. I already see comments online expressing joy and relief from the news of his death,” Famiglietti said.
“Being careful not to express my personal beliefs on a professional platform, I will say that I would find it impossible to compose a rational, articulate argument in opposition of those expressing relief,” adding, “It appears that justice was ultimately served by a power much greater,” the police chief added.
Josefina Cunningham’s uncle Jy’Quan Stewart also reacted.
“Justice is served,” Stewart told News10, adding, “I still plan on keeping Josefina’s memory alive. Instead of trying to reinstate the New York State Death Penalty, I am going to try to get it as a federal law in all 50 states.”
at Elmira Correctional Facility early Oct. 22. NYS Police
Both Fisher and Brand are listed in state prison records as being discharged by way of death.
