WWJ Anchor Jim Matthews Killed
•UPDATED: The staff of Audacy’s WWJ Newsradio 950/Detroit is still coming to grips with the tragic death of overnight anchor Jim Matthews, who was killed on Friday in what police are calling a “domestic situation” involving a murder and attempted suicide, resulting in the death of Matthews, serious injuries to his 35-year-old girlfriend and their two children and their alleged assailant hospitalized with self-inflicted injuries.
According to Director of Public Safety Brian Bassett, a 911 call came in at around noon on Friday reporting that a 35-year-old woman and her 5-year-old daughter had escaped from a home on Bayview Dr., in Chesterfield, MI. The woman was suffering from multiple stab wounds in several places on her body, and the little girl was also injured.
Police and EMS arrived quickly and began tending to the two victims, Bassett said. while additional officers went into into the home where they found a 57-year-old man, later identified as Matthews, dead. Police also found the woman’s 10-year-old son tied up in the closet and suffering from blunt force trauma. He was rushed to a hospital where he remains in critical condition.
In the basement of the home police found the suspect, identified as a 54-year-old man, who was suffering from self-inflicted wounds, as well as a drug overdose. As for what led to the violence, that is not clear at this time. Basset declined to go into details when asked if this was a premeditated attack on the family, or why it’s believed the boy had been tied up.
Bassett said the suspect was known to the victims and had been welcomed into the home earlier in the morning. However, he said that police they are still investigating the details of the suspect’s relationship to the family.
A statement posted to the WWJ website reads: “Jim worked as the overnight news anchor at WWJ for nearly seven years. He would often speak with his co-workers about his love for his two children, and their adventures at school. He loved delivering the latest news to his listeners, and was incredibly dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry. There have been many tears shed in our newsroom today and Jim will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
• Ashley Quigley, the sister of Matthews’ girlfriend and their two children, has created a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $10,000. According to Quigley’s account, Matthews’ daughter is doing well, but his 10-year-old son had to undergo brain and ear surgery and is currently sedated in the Pediatric ICU as he faces a lengthy recovery period. [Photo credit Terrance Vails / WWJ Digital]
