While She Was Sleeping: The Murder of Jill Cahill

Jill Russell was born a nonconformist. Even as a young girl, she never followed the standards of normality as defined by society. She wasn’t a rebel, but she was a happy, friendly person who sought out challenges and adventures.
When Jill met James “Jeff” Francis Cahill III, she believed she’d met her prince charming. He was handsome and smart and he enjoyed many of the same activities she did.
A few months into the relationship, Jill discovered she was pregnant. Jeff and Jill made plans to marry, ignoring his mother’s religion-based protests and that she would never condone their marriage.
In 1988, their son, Timothy, was born and Jill’s life changed. Less than two years later, Tim was joined by a little sister, Mary Catherine. Jill dedicated her life to her young children, but as they grew she went back to some of the interests she had before she became a mother, including gardening and landscaping. She used it as a way to improve their house that was always in need of repairs.
Everyone loved the beautiful flower gardens which welcomed them to the Cahill home. People began to seek out her services for landscaping their own homes. Before long, Jill was a landscaper in high demand.
In the meantime, the relationship between Jeff and Jill began to fall apart. Before she realized it, violence was part of their lives and Jill found herself afraid of the man she had loved. Jill was exhausted from being the breadwinner while Jeff failed as a stockbroker and floundered in his business as a general contractor. It became clear that he resented Jill’s success.
Finally, Jill filed for divorce. She was almost free. But before she could leave, Jeff savagely attacked her. While Jill lay unconscious, Jeff didn’t call 911. He called his mother. Jill laid on the floor bleeding for hours before the Cahills called their family physician, who demanded they call 911.
Against all odds, Jill survived. Only to be murdered in her hospital bed.
Our quiet end conversation today comes from a case of domestic violence. Jill Cahill died not only due to the murderous behavior of her husband but due to loop holes which allowed him not one, but two chances at killing her.