A man is facing life in prison after he was convicted of brutally stabbing a Rochester woman last summer.

A Monroe County jury convicted Joseph Rivera Jr., 22, of second-degree murder Tuesday in the death of Heather Majors, AGE. Police say she was stabbed at least 77 times with a hatchet on July 10, 2021 on Chili Avenue. She died two days later.

Rivera was arrested in September after being released from Monroe County Jail on a parole hold.

“Over a year later, today’s conviction can finally provide justice for Heather Major’s friends and family,” said Assistant District Attorney Burak Serbetci. “The past years have been traumatic for Ms. Major’s family and they can rest assured today knowing that the man responsible for her death faces a life sentence."

Supreme Court Justice Alex Renzi will sentence Rivera on September 14th.