Bio

Ronald Short was born in 1950. He grew up in a suburban area and had a typical childhood. He had a usual family life, and his early years seemed standard. As he grew older, he eventually took on a job in commercial real estate management.

Ronald married Jolanta, and together they had two sons named Richard and John. The family lived in a co-op building in Hunters Point, Queens. While they seemed to present a normal family image, there were signs of underlying issues.

Ronald's marriage was troubled. There were reports of conflicts and disputes between him and Jolanta. They had disagreements about various matters, and their relationship became strained. Neighbors described Ronald as devoted to his children. They recalled the boys as happy and well-adjusted kids who enjoyed playing outside.

However, as the marriage went on, things took a more negative turn. Conflicts regarding parenting and household matters seemed to escalate over time. There were instances of Ronald displaying controlling behavior towards his family. This dynamic created tension within their household.

In January 1999, following a significant argument between Ronald and Jolanta, she left home for a brief period. Upon returning, she found Ronald and their children missing. This event triggered a police investigation, as she reported her sons missing shortly afterward.

Murder Story

On January 9, 1999, Ronald Short committed the murders of his two sons, Richard and John. Richard was 7 years old, and John was only 3. The murders took place in the basement of a building in Manhattan, New York, that Ronald managed. He used an axe and a hammer to kill them, inflicting fatal injuries on both boys.

The shocking discovery of their bodies was made on January 23, 1999, when police found them hidden in a coal room of the basement in the apartment building. The medical examiner later determined that Richard died from multiple chop wounds to the head and neck, while John suffered from a fractured skull due to blunt force trauma.

Ronald Short was arrested 14 days after the murders. Initially, he was taken into custody for endangering the welfare of his children after their mother reported them missing on January 13. He denied knowing their whereabouts during the investigation, claiming they were okay and with relatives. Following the discovery of the children's bodies, charges were upgraded to murder.

During the trial, Short pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder on April 9, 2001. He expressed a desire to avoid putting his family through a trial. Ronald Short was sentenced on May 9, 2001, to two life terms in prison along with additional terms of 25 years to life.