Patricia McCollum & Her 2 Adopted Kids Killed In Murder-Suicide

A Cincinnati foster mother and her two adopted children, Patricia McCollum, 78, Kaydence McCollum, 32, and DJ McCollum, 11, were reportedly murdered in their home. PEOPLE confirms the suspected killer as Anthony Mathis. Patricia was also a mother to two biological children.

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Details On The Tragic Deaths Of Cincinnati Foster Mother & Her Two Children

Per Fox19, Patricia McCollum, Kaydence McCollum, and DJ McCollum were discovered with stab wounds in their College Hill home. Police identified 66-year-old Anthony Mathis as the suspect in the October 24 murders. The Cincinnati Enquirer states that police found Anthony Mathis in the home where he had taken refuge, prompting SWAT officers to negotiate with him for hours.

Mathis later went to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with self-inflicted stab wounds and later died. The Cincinnati Police Department’s news release did not clarify his relationship with the victims. However, Fox19 notes that Anthony Mathis did have a criminal history. He reportedly previously faced strangulation and domestic violence charges in April 2023, with Patricia McCollum named as the victim. In a criminal complaint cited by WXIX, Mathis faced accusations of choking Patricia, “causing pain to her neck and lifting her off the ground at the same time.” A judge initially signed a domestic violence protection order against Mathis, but a Hamilton County grand jury ignored the strangulation charge. The court later dismissed the domestic violence charge “for want of prosecution.”

More Info About Patricia McCollum & Her Life As A Dedicated Foster Mother

Rosemary Oglesby-Henry, founder of Rosemary’s Babies Company, confirmed DJ and Kaydence as two of Patricia’s adopted children.

ShaRonda Moore, a friend of Patricia, told ABC affiliate WCPO that Patricia and DJ had a “very unbreakable bond.” As DJ’s agency provider for 12 years, ShaRonda helped care for him. A GoFundMe for Patricia notes she adopted DJ as a child, despite doctors saying he wouldn’t live past 7 due to severe medical issues from a childhood tragedy.

“She 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.

Kaydence, the fundraiser adds, “brought life and joy” to Patricia, who thought she had adopted her last child.

According to PEOPLE, Patricia is survived by her adopted children, foster children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and two biological kids.