Sonia “Sunny” Jacobs, a name synonymous with resilience and advocacy, tragically passed away in a house fire in Connemara, County Galway, on June 3, 2025. At 76, her life was a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome profound injustice.

In 1976, Jacobs was wrongfully convicted for the murders of two police officers in Florida. She spent 17 years in prison, including five years on death row, before her conviction was overturned in 1992. Her partner, Jesse Tafero, was also convicted and executed in 1990, two years before evidence emerged that led to Jacobs’ exoneration.

The case against Jacobs and Tafero was primarily based on the testimony of Walter Rhodes, who later admitted to the killings. Despite this, both Jacobs and Tafero were sentenced to death, highlighting significant flaws in the justice system.

A New Chapter in Ireland

After her release, Jacobs dedicated her life to activism, focusing on the abolition of the death penalty and supporting exonerees. In 1998, during a visit to Ireland for an Amnesty International event, she met Peter Pringle, an Irishman who had also been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. They married in 2011 and settled in Connemara, where they established The Sunny Center, a sanctuary for exonerees to heal and rebuild their lives.

Pringle passed away in 2023, and Jacobs continued their shared mission until her untimely death.

The Tragic Fire

The fire that claimed Jacobs’ life also took the life of a man in his 30s, believed to be her carer. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at 6:20 am. Both bodies were recovered from the property, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

Legacy and Impact

Jacobs’ story is a poignant reminder of the fallibility of the justice system and the enduring impact of wrongful convictions. Her advocacy work has left an indelible mark on the fight against the death penalty and the support of exonerees worldwide.

Through The Sunny Center, Jacobs provided a haven for those who, like her, had suffered the unimaginable. Her life’s work continues to inspire and drive change, ensuring that her legacy lives on.

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