78-year-old foster mother Patricia McCollum and her two adopted children, Kaydence McCollum (32) and DJ McCollum (11), were found brutally murdered in their College Hill home on October 24.
Police identified 66-year-old Anthony Mathis, who had a history of domestic violence and strangulation charges, as the suspect.
Mathis was found with self-inflicted stab wounds at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and later succumbed to his injuries.
The Cincinnati Police Department’s investigation revealed that Patricia, Kaydence, and DJ suffered fatal stab wounds.
Mathis’s relationship with the victims was not explicitly stated, but records show he previously faced charges for choking Patricia in April 2023.
A criminal complaint cited by WXIX alleged Mathis choked Patricia, “causing pain to her neck and lifting her off the ground.” A domestic violence protection order was initially issued, but the charges were later dismissed.
Friends and family remembered Patricia as a devoted and loving mother. ShaRonda Moore, a close friend, described Patricia and DJ’s bond as “unbreakable.”
Moore, DJ’s agency provider for 12 years, praised Patricia’s unwavering support for her children.
“Patricia was just a great advocate, loving mother, very supportive of all of her children, and she would go above and beyond for each and every one of them,” ShaRonda Moore said.
A GoFundMe tribute highlighted Patricia’s selfless love for her adopted children, including DJ, who doctors predicted wouldn’t survive past age 7 due to severe medical issues. Kaydence was described as bringing “life and joy” to Patricia’s life.
Patricia is survived by her biological children, adopted and foster children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
