Topline: The victim died two weeks after the brutal knife assault, which started over missing cigarette case, police say.
Published: May 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Cyril Granahan (via Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
MARSHFIELD, WI — Police say a Wisconsin man attempted to cut his neighbor’s head off during a dispute over a missing cigarette case.
According to the Marshfield News Herald, Cyril J. Granahan, 60, appeared virtually in Wood County Court on May 27, where Judge Timothy Gebert found probable cause to proceed with the case. The charges stem from a brutal assault on his 61-year-old neighbor, who later died from her injuries.
Granahan is accused of entering the woman’s apartment on Veterans Parkway in the early morning hours of April 25, demanding his cigarette case. When she said she didn’t know where it was, court records say he threatened her, saying he was going to “break her neck.” He then allegedly threw her to the ground, stomped on her chest, and attacked her with a large steak knife, sawing at her neck and telling her he was “going to cut (her) head off.”
Despite the graphic nature of the assault, Granahan eventually stopped and resumed searching for his cigarette case. He then left the apartment. Hours later, the woman’s caretaker found her and took her to the emergency room. Medical staff treated her for multiple injuries, including a deep cut to her neck and a thumb wound sustained while trying to fend him off.
Four days after the attack, the woman underwent emergency brain surgery due to internal bleeding. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, and she died on May 8. A forensic autopsy listed the preliminary cause of death as blunt-force traumatic head injury.
Granahan faces three charges:
- First-degree reckless homicide, a felony with a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison
- Physical abuse of an elder person, intentionally causing bodily harm with a dangerous weapon, a felony carrying up to 12 years, plus an additional five due to the weapon enhancement
- Disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor with additional penalties due to the victim’s age and use of a weapon, carrying a maximum sentence of over two years
According to the Wisconsin Rapids City Times, court records reveal a history of violence between Granahan and the victim. Just weeks before the fatal assault, Granahan admitted to police that he had struck her in the head with a cigarette rolling machine, causing a significant bruise on the left side of her face. The two also had a prior relationship, having dated in 2023.
Following the April 25 attack, Granahan was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute near Oshkosh. Officials said he was committed for a minimum of six months. During his stay, doctors prescribed medication that his attorney told the court has since “stabilized” him.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: May 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cyril Granahan (via Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
MARSHFIELD, WI — Police say a Wisconsin man attempted to cut his neighbor’s head off during a dispute over a missing cigarette case.
According to the Marshfield News Herald, Cyril J. Granahan, 60, appeared virtually in Wood County Court on May 27, where Judge Timothy Gebert found probable cause to proceed with the case. The charges stem from a brutal assault on his 61-year-old neighbor, who later died from her injuries.
Granahan is accused of entering the woman’s apartment on Veterans Parkway in the early morning hours of April 25, demanding his cigarette case. When she said she didn’t know where it was, court records say he threatened her, saying he was going to “break her neck.” He then allegedly threw her to the ground, stomped on her chest, and attacked her with a large steak knife, sawing at her neck and telling her he was “going to cut (her) head off.”
Despite the graphic nature of the assault, Granahan eventually stopped and resumed searching for his cigarette case. He then left the apartment. Hours later, the woman’s caretaker found her and took her to the emergency room. Medical staff treated her for multiple injuries, including a deep cut to her neck and a thumb wound sustained while trying to fend him off.
Four days after the attack, the woman underwent emergency brain surgery due to internal bleeding. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, and she died on May 8. A forensic autopsy listed the preliminary cause of death as blunt-force traumatic head injury.
Granahan faces three charges:
- First-degree reckless homicide, a felony with a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison
- Physical abuse of an elder person, intentionally causing bodily harm with a dangerous weapon, a felony carrying up to 12 years, plus an additional five due to the weapon enhancement
- Disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor with additional penalties due to the victim’s age and use of a weapon, carrying a maximum sentence of over two years
According to the Wisconsin Rapids City Times, court records reveal a history of violence between Granahan and the victim. Just weeks before the fatal assault, Granahan admitted to police that he had struck her in the head with a cigarette rolling machine, causing a significant bruise on the left side of her face. The two also had a prior relationship, having dated in 2023.
Following the April 25 attack, Granahan was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute near Oshkosh. Officials said he was committed for a minimum of six months. During his stay, doctors prescribed medication that his attorney told the court has since “stabilized” him.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Accused of Attempting to Saw Off Neighbor’s Head During Dispute Over Cigarettes
The victim died two weeks after the brutal knife assault, which started over missing cigarette case, police say.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 30, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cyril Granahan (via Wood County Sheriff’s Office)
MARSHFIELD, WI — Police say a Wisconsin man attempted to cut his neighbor’s head off during a dispute over a missing cigarette case.
According to the Marshfield News Herald, Cyril J. Granahan, 60, appeared virtually in Wood County Court on May 27, where Judge Timothy Gebert found probable cause to proceed with the case. The charges stem from a brutal assault on his 61-year-old neighbor, who later died from her injuries.
Granahan is accused of entering the woman’s apartment on Veterans Parkway in the early morning hours of April 25, demanding his cigarette case. When she said she didn’t know where it was, court records say he threatened her, saying he was going to “break her neck.” He then allegedly threw her to the ground, stomped on her chest, and attacked her with a large steak knife, sawing at her neck and telling her he was “going to cut (her) head off.”
Despite the graphic nature of the assault, Granahan eventually stopped and resumed searching for his cigarette case. He then left the apartment. Hours later, the woman’s caretaker found her and took her to the emergency room. Medical staff treated her for multiple injuries, including a deep cut to her neck and a thumb wound sustained while trying to fend him off.
Four days after the attack, the woman underwent emergency brain surgery due to internal bleeding. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, and she died on May 8. A forensic autopsy listed the preliminary cause of death as blunt-force traumatic head injury.
Granahan faces three charges:
- First-degree reckless homicide, a felony with a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison
- Physical abuse of an elder person, intentionally causing bodily harm with a dangerous weapon, a felony carrying up to 12 years, plus an additional five due to the weapon enhancement
- Disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor with additional penalties due to the victim’s age and use of a weapon, carrying a maximum sentence of over two years
According to the Wisconsin Rapids City Times, court records reveal a history of violence between Granahan and the victim. Just weeks before the fatal assault, Granahan admitted to police that he had struck her in the head with a cigarette rolling machine, causing a significant bruise on the left side of her face. The two also had a prior relationship, having dated in 2023.
Following the April 25 attack, Granahan was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute near Oshkosh. Officials said he was committed for a minimum of six months. During his stay, doctors prescribed medication that his attorney told the court has since “stabilized” him.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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