An eye for an eye is the true form of justice. It would fit perfectly with the case of Judy Malinowski. That’s Judy, one of the first people in the United States to testify after death in her own murder trial, we’re talking about. Star of the newly released MTV documentary The Fire That Took Her Away was set on fire by her boyfriend Michael Slager on August 2, 2015. She suffered third-degree burns to 90 percent of her body and underwent numerous surgeries over the course of two years to repair the damage. Then, five months before her death on June 27, 2017, from complications from her injuries, she testified against her ex-boyfriend Michael Slager in her own murder trial. She told the court in a recorded video how Michael doused her with gasoline and set her on fire during an argument. That video was later used as evidence and the criminal was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He is serving his sentence at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville as we write this.
However, in this article we will tell you about Judy’s parents, who The Fire That Took Her Away The documentary remembers their daughter as a happy and beautiful woman.
Who are Judy Malinowski’s parents?
Doctors told Judy Malinowski’s family that this would be the hardest journey of their lives. Looking back, Judy’s mother believes that was an understatement.
After the horrific incident, Judy’s mother spent all her time at her daughter’s bedside and was amazed by her inspirational power.
It seems that both Judy’s parents really loved her.
Keep reading and we’ll tell you more about them.
Meet Bonnie Bowes, Judy Malinowski’s Mother
The aforementioned MTV trailer features an interview with Malinowski’s mother, Bonnie Bowes, who is introduced as a strong supporter of her daughter’s fight for justice.
Bonnie actually fought to have her daughter’s hospital testimony used in the Slager murder trial. The mother appeared on news channels all over the world to share her daughter’s horrifying story. “I look back at the videos of her and I don’t know how anyone could survive the injuries that Judy inflicted and then testify the way she did,” she said. One of the things she said over and over again was that her daughter knew exactly what she was doing and believed in the justice system.
Bonnie was not allowed to be present during Judy’s three-hour pre-trial hearing. However, she was with her daughter before and after recess that day.
Professionally, Bonnie has worked as a senior project program manager – Vice President of Consumer Digital Operations at JPMorgan Chase & Co. since May 2011. She joined the company long before that in October 1995 as a business analyst team leader.
Even before that, she worked as a general accounting controller at Sun TV and home appliances for more than 5 years.
For further education, she attended Franklin College in Columbus, Ohio.
If you also need to know, Bonnie has an older brother named Edward Still Jr., a native of Gahanna, Ohio. He previously attended Whitehall-Yearling High School.
Meet Thomas Hensel, Judy Malinowski’s father
Judy Malinowski’s father, Thomas Joseph “TJ” Hensel, predeceased her.
Thomas was born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio on November 28, 1956, to Richard R. Hensel and Frances Janet ‘Janet’ Flood. He died at the age of 41 on February 19, 1997. Thomas was preceded in death by his sister Cynthia S. “Cindy” in October 2007.
In Judy’s obituary, in addition to Thomas being mentioned as her father, David Gorman (Sue) is also mentioned as her “Dad”.
Related FAQs
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How long were Judy Malinowski’s parents married?
On her Facebook page ‘Bonnie Bowes (Bonnie Susan Still)’, Judy Malinowski currently marks her relationship status as ‘single’. It is not known how long she and Judy’s father, Thomas, were married. When Thomas died in 1997, his obituary made no mention of Judy or any other wives.
Meanwhile, later, at the time of Judy’s death, she was married to Dan.
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How many children do Judy Malinowski’s parents have?
Judy Malinowski was not her parents’ only child. Instead, she had an older sister, Danielle Gorman, an older brother, Patrick Bowes, and half-siblings, Nicholas, Joseph, and Mark Bowes.
Judy, whose full name is Judy Ann Malinowski, was born on August 26, 1983. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 33. She is survived by two “colorful at heart” daughters — Kaylyn Malinowski and Madison Malinowski.
Judy graduated from New Albany High School in 2001. She was later crowned Miss New Albany and Prom Queen. In addition to competing in beauty pageants, she was also involved in many community activities. She also continued her education at Ohio State University.
Notably, the day after Judy’s death, the Ohio Senate passed “Judy’s Law,” which recommends longer prison sentences for crimes that disfigure victims.
The day after Malinowski died, the Ohio Senate passed “Judy’s Law,” which recommends longer prison sentences for crimes that disfigure victims. The development was “a ray of sunshine and happiness” at a dark time, her mother Bonnie said.
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Where do Judy Malinowski’s parents live?
Judy Malinowski’s father is no longer alive. While her mother lives in New Albany, a city in the US state of Ohio, located 15 miles northeast of the state capital Columbus, as of 2023.
The first mother was originally from Whitehall, Ohio.