A 28-year-old Connecticut man was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder in connection with his girlfriend’s death, months after her body was discovered at the bottom of a staircase. Cole Theodore Werhan, from Burlington, faces charges related to the death of 26-year-old Janina Brooke Murphy from Duxbury, Massachusetts. Connecticut State Police confirmed the arrest following a homicide ruling by the state medical examiner’s office this week. Court records reveal Werhan had two pending domestic violence cases involving women he met through dating applications.
Murphy was found dead in March inside the Burlington residence where she had been living with Werhan. Authorities initially described the circumstances as suspicious. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Murphy died from blunt force injury to the head. The ruling changed the case from a suspicious death investigation to a homicide probe.
Mother reveals disturbing details from investigators
Beth Murphy, the victim’s mother, told local news outlets that investigators contacted her with information contradicting initial reports. She recalled a detective’s words during a phone conversation about her daughter’s injuries. The detective informed her that Murphy had wounds covering her body, indicating the incident was not a simple fall. Beth Murphy confirmed that her daughter and Werhan were in a romantic relationship at the time of death.
The homicide confirmation validated the family’s fears about the circumstances surrounding Murphy’s death. Beth Murphy expressed the emotional difficulty of receiving official confirmation that her daughter’s death was not accidental. The victim would have celebrated her 27th birthday on June 17.
Pattern of alleged abuse documented in prior cases
Court documents show Werhan faced pending domestic violence charges in a separate case filed in Torrington Superior Court. A woman told investigators she met Werhan on the dating application Hinge. She described their initial communication as normal before his behavior shifted to what she termed “love bombing.”
The woman alleged multiple incidents of physical violence occurred between May and August 2025 during their relationship. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Werhan allegedly:
- Slapped her and pulled her hair during confrontations
- Screamed directly in her face and held her down
- Threw her back inside his house when she attempted to leave
- Strangled her with his hands around her neck until she could not breathe
- Made verbal threats stating he wanted to kill her
The woman reported bruising on her neck that lasted approximately one week following the strangulation incident. She told police she did not lose consciousness during the attack. Investigators documented that Werhan would verbally abuse the woman, yelling insults and expressing hatred toward her.
Victim feared for her life before leaving relationship
The woman in the prior case explained to authorities that she eventually ended the relationship because she believed returning to Werhan would result in her death. Her statement to investigators revealed a pattern of escalating violence and threatening behavior. Werhan was charged in that case with second-degree strangulation or suffocation, second-degree threatening and disorderly conduct.
State judicial records indicate Werhan had another pending case from November 2025 involving additional alleged domestic violence-related charges. Those charges included breach of peace, third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, unlawful restraint and threatening. The court set a $75,000 bond in that matter.
Prosecutors cite extreme danger in murder case
Werhan was arraigned Wednesday in Torrington Superior Court on the murder charge. Prosecutors argued before the court that Werhan represents an extreme danger to the community. The judge set bond at $5 million cash in the murder case. The high bond amount reflects the severity of the charges and Werhan’s prior alleged history of violence against women.
Beth Murphy described her daughter as kind, artistic and deeply loved by many people. She told reporters that numerous individuals considered Murphy their best friend. The victim’s mother emphasized Murphy had a heart of gold and touched many lives. Connecticut State Police confirmed the investigation into Murphy’s death remains active. Authorities continue examining the circumstances that led to the fatal injuries.
