In September 2024, 17-year-old Collin Griffith from Florida was arrested for allegedly stabbing his mother, Catherine Griffith, to death. This incident occurred approximately a year after he fatally shot his father, Charles Griffith, in Oklahoma—a case where charges were dismissed due to self-defense claims.
On September 8, 2024, Collin contacted authorities, reporting that his mother had fallen onto a knife during an argument at their Auburndale home. However, the medical examiner determined that Catherine’s injuries were inconsistent with an accidental fall. Neighbors reported witnessing Collin dragging his mother by her hair into the house shortly before the incident. Subsequently, Collin was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
In the months leading up to her death, Catherine sent distressing text messages to a neighbor, expressing fear of her son. In one message, she requested that neither Collin nor the police be allowed into her home, stating she was “tired of this crap.” Despite these concerns, she had previously bailed Collin out after the fatal shooting of his father.
Collin’s defense argued that he acted in self-defense, citing a tumultuous relationship and previous incidents involving threats and violence. In February 2025, after deliberating, a jury acquitted Collin of all charges related to his mother’s death. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed disappointment with the verdict, noting that detectives still believed Collin was responsible for both parents’ deaths.
