A Mother’s Final Moments: The Tragic Loss of Quanisha “Nisha” Burruss

On June 8, 2020, the quiet of a Middletown neighborhood was shattered by a tragedy that still echoes painfully through the hearts of everyone who knew Quanisha “Nisha” Burruss. A devoted mother, a loving friend, and a bright spirit, Burruss was taken in a moment of unimaginable violence inside her own home—a place meant to be her safe haven. That morning began like any other, until an unexpected knock at the door changed everything. Trusting her instincts, Burruss warned her youngest son not to open it. Moments later, the man she once shared a family with—William Bigaud—forced his way inside by climbing through a window. What followed was an act of violence that will forever haunt her loved ones and the community that mourns her.

Witnessed by Innocence: Children Forced to Flee in Fear

Inside the kitchen, where everyday conversations once took place, an argument erupted into deadly violence. Bigaud grabbed a knife and attacked Burruss, slashing her as their oldest son walked in and witnessed the horror unfold. The children, terrified and desperate to survive, ran from the apartment—one narrowly escaping Bigaud’s grasp. Burruss, fighting for her life, stumbled out of the apartment long enough to plead for someone to call 911 before collapsing inside. Paramedics worked tirelessly, but the wounds were too severe. Stabbed near her heart and cut above her eye, Burruss was pronounced dead later that morning at Middlesex Hospital. Her final moments were filled with strength—protecting her children until the very end.

Justice Delivered: A 70-Year Sentence, But a Lifetime of Grief

After fleeing the state, Bigaud was arrested in Georgia and brought back to Connecticut to face justice. On December 8, 2025, he received 70 years in prison—50 years for murder and 20 for home invasion—following a conviction that included murder, first-degree burglary, home invasion, and risk of injury to a child. While the sentence brings a measure of accountability, it can never replace the life lost nor erase the trauma endured by her children. Quanisha “Nisha” Burruss was more than a victim—she was a mother whose love was fierce, whose smile brightened rooms, and whose life was taken far too soon. Her story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating reality of domestic violence and the urgent need to protect those who are vulnerable.
Her loved ones continue to honor her memory, carrying forward her warmth, her strength, and the unbreakable love she showed her children.