Assata Shakur dies in Havana at 78; Cuba confirms death, NJ officials respond
Joanne Deborah Byron, known as Assata Shakur, died in Havana on Sept. 25, 2025, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said, attributing her death to health conditions and advanced age; her daughter Kakuya Shakur also confirmed the death. Shakur, who was convicted in 1977 for the 1973 killing of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster, escaped prison in 1979 and lived in Cuba under asylum while remaining on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, and New Jersey officials including Gov. Phil Murphy and State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan said they would oppose any attempt to repatriate her remains, saying “justice was never served.”
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📰 Sources (4)
Mikie Sherrill stays silent as New Jersey politicians react to convicted cop killer's death
New information:
- Rep. Mikie Sherrill — the Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor — has not publicly responded to Chesimard's death and her campaign did not reply to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
- Specific campaign quote from Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli framing the death as a reminder that "justice was never served" for Trooper Werner Foerster.
- Article highlights additional New Jersey political reactions (Gov. Phil Murphy's statement and his intent to oppose repatriation; comments from Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Tom Kean) and criticizes the Chicago Teachers Union post honoring Chesimard, drawing New Jersey backlash.
Assata Shakur, a fugitive Black militant sought by the U.S. since 1979, dies in Cuba
New information:
- Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying Shakur died in Havana due to 'health conditions and advanced age.'
- Shakur's daughter, Kakuya Shakur, confirmed the death in a Facebook post.
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan issued a joint statement saying they would 'vigorously oppose' any attempt to repatriate Shakur's remains and saying 'justice was never served.'
- Article reiterates timeline details with dates: May 2, 1973 (traffic stop and shooting that killed Trooper Werner Foerster), 1977 conviction, November 1979 prison escape, and 1984 arrival/asylum in Cuba.
Assata Shakur, fugitive Black activist who escaped life sentence for killing police officer, dies in Cuba
New information:
- Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement saying she died in Havana due to 'health conditions and advanced age.'
- Her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, publicly confirmed the death on Facebook.
- The report reiterates historical facts: 1977 conviction, 1979 prison escape, and the 1973 traffic‑stop shooting that killed Trooper Werner Foerster.
Convicted cop killer Assata Shakur, an FBI Most Wanted terrorist, dead in Cuba, communist regime says
New information:
- Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said Joanne Deborah Byron (aka Assata Shakur) died in Havana on September 25, 2025 due to health conditions and advanced age.
- Shakur was convicted in 1977 for the 1973 killing of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster and escaped from prison in 1979 before fleeing to Cuba, where she lived under asylum.
- The FBI has long listed her as a Most Wanted fugitive/terrorist; U.S. agencies (FBI/State Department) were contacted for comment in reporting the Cuban statement.