Florid: A 17-year-old boy from Florida, Collin Griffith, is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly stabbing his mother, Catherine Griffith, to death. The teenager, who previously killed his father in Oklahoma and avoided prosecution by claiming self-defense, was arrested following the brutal slaying that took place in Polk County.
Stabbing Incident in Florida
On Sunday, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call from Collin himself, where he claimed his mother had fallen on a knife after a long argument. When deputies arrived, they found Catherine Griffith, 39, with fatal stab wounds to her neck. Despite Collin’s explanation, investigators found that his story did not match the evidence. Sheriff Grady Judd described the scene as clean and orderly, with no signs of a prolonged struggle. Collin was found at the scene, calm and showing no signs of remorse, according to Judd. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. The sheriff noted that Collin showed no urgency regarding his mother’s critical condition, even stating to officers, “I know my rights, I want an attorney.”
Troubled Past: Father’s Death in Oklahoma
The investigation into Catherine Griffith’s murder revealed that this was not the first time Collin had killed a family member. On Valentine’s Day 2023, Collin shot and killed his father in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, claiming that his father had pulled a knife on him. Authorities in Oklahoma accepted Collin’s self-defense claim and dropped the charges a month later, allowing the then-15-year-old to move to Florida to live with his mother. However, shortly after moving to Florida, Collin displayed increasingly erratic behavior. In late 2023, he was arrested for domestic violence after attacking his mother during an argument over video games. Despite these incidents, Catherine Griffith continued to care for her son, even after multiple threats he made against her.
A Pattern of Violence and Threats
Sheriff Judd highlighted Collin’s history of violent behavior and mental health issues, including a disturbing statement made after his father’s death. At the time, Collin reportedly told authorities, “I’ll kill myself, or I’ll kill my mother by shooting or stabbing her.” Despite these threats, Catherine Griffith reunited with her son in March 2024 after a brief separation. In the months leading up to her murder, tensions between Collin and his mother escalated. On the day of the killing, neighbors witnessed the pair arguing outside their home in Auburndale. Collin was seen dragging his mother by her hair into the house, where hours later, she was found dead.
A Mother’s Tragic Fate
Sheriff Judd described Catherine Griffith as a mother who paid the ultimate price for trying to care for her son. “If Oklahoma had been able to act, Catherine would be alive and well today,” Judd said. He expressed his belief that had Collin not been arrested, his grandmother might have been his next victim.
Now, as Collin faces first-degree murder charges, Judd emphasized the severity of the case: “When you look at this, you see a kid. When I look at him, I see a psychopath.” The sheriff’s office has also reached out to Oklahoma prosecutors, offering to share any new evidence that might implicate Collin in his father’s death. Griffith is currently being held without bond, and prosecutors are seeking to try him as an adult.
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