Connecticut Man Charged with Murder After Girlfriend’s Death

A man from Connecticut has been charged with murder months after his girlfriend was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Cole Theodore Warhan, 28, from Burlington, faces charges related to the death of 26-year-old Janina Brooke Murphy, who was originally from Duxbury, Massachusetts. Interestingly, Warhan already has pending charges related to a domestic violence case involving another woman.

Murphy, known by the name Brooke, was discovered at the bottom of the stairs in her Burlington home back in March. Authorities initially regarded the situation as suspicious. Recently, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Murphy died due to blunt force trauma to the head, attributing her death to homicide.

In a heartbreaking revelation, Murphy’s mother, Beth, shared that she was informed by police that her daughter didn’t simply fall. “She had injuries all over her body,” Beth said, reflecting the confusion and sorrow her family has been grappling with. This revelation has impacted them deeply; the notion that it wasn’t just an accident is, frankly, really difficult for them to accept.

In a separate case, court documents reveal that Warhan is already dealing with domestic violence allegations. A woman who met him on a dating app reported a rapidly escalating situation where, after initial friendly interactions, Warhan became abusive. According to her statements, he allegedly assaulted her during their first meeting and continued to threaten her. The affidavit details numerous incidents of physical and emotional abuse, including threats to her life, which understandably led her to leave him out of fear.

Warhan is currently being held on a $5 million cash bail following his arraignment. Prosecutors have labeled him as “an extreme danger to the community.” The domestic violence charges he faces stem from incidents that took place between May and August of 2025, highlighting a troubling trend in his behavior.

As the aftermath of Murphy’s death unfolds, her mother expresses a radiant memory of her daughter, describing her as kind and artistic, with a heart of gold. Murphy would have celebrated her 27th birthday this past June. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death continues, and the community remains shaken by these events.