Pennsylvania Woman Receives Life Sentence for Double Homicide of Father and His Girlfriend
A 57-year-old Pennsylvania woman will spend the rest of her life in prison for fatally stabbing and shooting her father and his girlfriend in New Jersey in 2021. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer stated on May 10 that a judge sentenced Sherry Heffernan to two consecutive life sentences in New Jersey State Prison. In March, a jury convicted Heffernan of the murders of her father, John Enders, 87, and his lover, Francoise Pitoy, 75.
According to the prosecutor’s office, on October 3, 2021, at around 4 p.m., Surf City Police officers rushed to a home on North 7th Street and discovered the bodies of Enders and Pitoy. According to an affidavit acquired by NJ.com, authorities discovered blood throughout the house, along with bloody footprints and a discarded rubber glove.
Enders died from several stab wounds, including “severance of the right carotid artery and blunt force trauma,” as well as a gunshot wound to the face, according to an autopsy. Investigators revealed Pitoy died from several stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the face. The victims’ deaths were judged homicides.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Enders owned the house where the victims were discovered, but Pitoy frequently stayed with him. Heffernan, a real estate professional, grew outraged after her father allegedly refused to let her be the broker on his $1.9 million home. According to NJ.com, a friend told police that Enders amended his will and excluded Heffernan and his other daughter.
On October 4, 2021, the Pennsylvania State Police apprehended Heffernan at her house in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. She has been detained at the Ocean County Jail since her arrest.
Billhimer stated, “This defendant will serve the remainder of her life in prison. This is an acceptable punishment, and we hope that it provides some closure for John and Francoise’s family and friends.”