A tragic incident unfolded in Florida when a 17-year-old boy, Collin Griffith, stabbed his mother to death, just one year after he shot and killed his father in Oklahoma. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a distressing 911 call from Collin, claiming that his mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith, was stabbed in the neck during a fight. He alleged that she had lunged at him with a knife and accidentally fell on it.
However, upon further investigation, it became apparent that the evidence at the scene did not align with Collin’s account of the incident. Witnesses reported seeing Collin dragging his mother into the house by her hair after a heated argument outside. Nancy K. Jones, a neighbor, recounted how she witnessed the violent altercation unfold, with Catherine pleading to be released. Collin’s grandmother also revealed to authorities that the teen had a history of being confrontational towards his mother.
The Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy, determining that Catherine died from a deep stab wound to her neck, ruling out any possibility of an accidental injury. This devastating event left Collin as an orphan, as he had previously shot and killed his father, Charles Robert Griffith, in Oklahoma the year before. Collin claimed self-defense in the fatal shooting of his father, which led to the charges being dropped after his mother posted bail and he was reunited with her.
Tragically, Collin’s reunion with his mother ended in another horrific act of violence, as he allegedly carried out the brutal murder just a year after the death of his father. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd condemned Collin’s actions, labeling him as a “violent predator” who must be held accountable for his heinous crimes. The 17-year-old now faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and violation of a no-contact order as authorities work to ensure he is kept separate from society. The heartbreaking story of Collin Griffith serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and aggression.