Teen kills mother one year after father’s death
Collin Griffith faces murder charges after stabbing mother in Florida
A 17-year-old boy fatally stabbed his mother in Florida one year after killing his father in Oklahoma, police reported. Collin Griffith contacted 911 on Sunday night, claiming his mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith, was accidentally stabbed in the neck during a struggle after she allegedly lunged at him with a knife and fell on it, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and declared Catherine dead. Deputies questioned Collin, who then demanded legal representation and became uncooperative. Investigators found discrepancies between the scene’s evidence and Collin’s account.
Witnesses revealed that Collin and his mother had been arguing outside their home when he dragged her inside by her hair. “He just grabbed her — looked like he grabbed her by the hair,” said Nancy K. Jones, a neighbour.
Wow, they did it. Calling a 17 year old an “orphan” after he killed his parents https://t.co/F39WbxBza9
— Dallas Woodhouse (@DallasWoodhouse) September 12, 2024
Collin’s grandmother, who owns the home but was not present during the incident, informed police of previous physical and verbal confrontations between Collin and his mother. She had previously mentioned to Jones that Collin “had problems.”
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined Catherine Griffin died from a deep knife wound to the neck, inconsistent with an accidental injury.
Collin is now an orphan, having allegedly killed his father, Charles Robert Griffith, in 2023 during a confrontation at their Oklahoma home on Valentine’s Day. The then 15-year-old claimed self-defense, stating he was cornered by his father and shot him twice, in the chest and head. His mother posted $50,000 bail for him, and charges were later dropped due to inconclusive evidence of self-defense, as per the Lincoln County, Oklahoma District Attorney’s Office.
Collin reunited with his mother a year after the incident, facilitated by Florida’s Department of Children and Families. He first threatened to kill her then, before allegedly doing so on Sunday.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described Collin as a “violent predator” and vowed to keep him away from society. The teenager now faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and violating a no-contact order.
What Other Media Are Saying
- New York Post reports that 17-year-old Collin Griffith allegedly stabbed his mother Catherine to death in Florida, just over a year after killing his father, highlighting a tragic and violent sequence of events.(read more)
- CBS News Miami reports on a Hialeah domestic incident where a 17-year-old girl was stabbed, leading to a police shooting of her brother, who had mental health issues, and the cousin’s emotional distress and questions about the event.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Collin Griffith kill his mother?
Yes, police allege that Collin Griffith stabbed his mother to death.
What happened to Collin’s father?
Collin fatally shot his father in Oklahoma in 2023, claiming self-defense.
Why are the charges against Collin for his father’s death dropped?
The charges were dropped because self-defense could not be ruled out.
What did witnesses see before Catherine Griffith’s death?
Witnesses saw Collin and his mother arguing, and Collin dragging her inside the house.
What is Collin Griffith charged with now?
Collin Griffith is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and violation of a no-contact order.
