Woman Walks 16 Miles Driven by Hallucinations to Attempt Killing Her Father in Wisconsin

A Wisconsin woman, Jamie Anderson, 34, has been sentenced to a 20-year stay at a mental health facility after attempting to kill her father during an episode of hallucinatory violence. The incident occurred on July 1, 2025, in Stoughton, a small town near Madison. Anderson believed her father was the devil due to her hallucinations, which led her to walk 16 miles from her apartment to his residence.

Anderson entered a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in February, which the court accepted but delayed sentencing until more information was gathered. On Wednesday, after reviewing a "Predisposition Investigation Report," Judge Mario White sentenced her to the mental health facility. The attack began when Anderson arrived at her father's home early morning, requesting a hug and then attempting to stab him with an orange knife.

During the struggle, Anderson repeatedly declared, "I'm going to kill you," while her father managed to escape by pushing her over a coffee table. Police found him on his stoop with injuries, including staples in his head and surgery on one arm. Anderson was discovered near the house, knife in hand, and arrested without further incident.

The case highlights the complexities of mental health and its impact on violent behavior. Anderson's father described her actions as not typical, attributing them to drug use affecting her mind. The incident underscores the need for understanding and addressing such issues to prevent similar occurrences.