A tragic and extremely disturbing case has emerged from Polk County, Florida, where 17-year-old Colin Griffith is accused of killing his mother, Katherine Griffith. The murder occurred less than a year after his father, Charles Griffith, died inexplicably in Oklahoma. Colin, whose past was already full of violent incidents and questionable behavior, is now accused of committing suicide, one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. The public is curious about what could drive a teenager to kill both of his parents within a year, and this case has shocked small-town Auburndale and beyond.
The somber series of events began on Sunday, September 8, 2024, when Colin's mother, 39-year-old Catherine Griffith, visited her mother's home in Auburndale, where Colin grew up with his grandmother. Catherine arrived at the daycare following a furious conflict with Colin, which allegedly started over insignificant household tasks. Colin fled to his grandmother's house and refused to return, so Catherine drove from her home to try to convince him to return. When Catherine arrived at the Auburndale home at 4 p.m., witnesses witnessed her having a heated argument with her son outside. Catherine was known by friends and family as a kind and devoted mother.
What started as a heated argument quickly descended into violence. Neighbors said that as soon as the dispute turned physical, Colin grabbed his mother by the hair and pulled her into the house. No one would see Catherine Griffith alive after that.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) received a frightening 911 call about 6:00 p.m., two hours later. Coolly, Colin said, “I had a fight with my mom, and she's bleeding from the neck,” from the other end of the call. When they arrived at the site, deputies found evidence that supported their worst suspicions: Catherine Griffith had been brutally killed, having been stabbed twice in the neck with a kitchen knife. Colleen was immediately brought to the prison, standing over her lifeless body. However, authorities described his behavior as cold and deliberate. “I know my rights,” was Colin's first response when representatives approached him. I want legal representation.
For the Griffith family, the losses are unimaginable. Both parents are now gone, leaving behind a legacy of pain and unanswered questions. In the coming weeks and months, as the case against Colin unfolds, many will be watching closely, hoping that justice will be served and that some semblance of closure will be brought to a family torn apart by violence. For those who knew Catherine and Charles Griffith, the hope is that their deaths will not be in vain, and that the full truth of what happened to them will finally come to light.
