An Ohio community is in mourning following the tragic death of Patricia McCollum, a 77-year-old foster mother who dedicated over 20 years of her life to caring for more than 70 children.
McCollum was brutally stabbed in her home by a man who appeared to be suicidal, who also took the lives of her two children.
The horrific events unfolded on Thursday in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati.
Authorities found McCollum dead from multiple stab wounds inside her residence, alongside the bodies of her disabled son, 32-year-old DJ McCollum, and her 11-year-old adopted daughter, Kaydence.
Neighbors alerted police after hearing a disturbance, prompting them to call 911. Upon arrival, officers discovered 66-year-old Anthony Mathis inside the home.
Mathis was found with self-inflicted stab wounds and was transported to the hospital, where he died shortly after admission.
Investigators have not yet disclosed the relationship between McCollum and Mathis. However, it has been reported that Mathis faced a strangulation charge last year in connection with a domestic violence incident involving McCollum.
He was accused of choking her, but those charges were dismissed after a grand jury declined to indict him.
A motive for the tragic killings has yet to be revealed. In light of the tragedy, McCollum’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses.
The fundraising page describes McCollum as a “hero” who “advocated for foster youth, trauma victims, the disabled, and teen parents” and highlights her role as a founding board member of Rosemary’s Babies Co.
Additionally, the campaign notes that McCollum made history as the first black woman to serve as a cocktail waitress “bunny” at Cincinnati’s Playboy Club. Her legacy of compassion and dedication to those in need will be cherished by the community she served.
