A Florida mom who was allegedly fatally stabbed by her teenage son shared an eerie post on Instagram shortly before her death. Catherine “Cathy” Griffith’s son, 17-year-old Collin Griffith, has been charged with first-degree murder. The teen has claimed that he and his mom were in the middle of a fight when Cathy Griffith “fell on a knife,” but an autopsy revealed that the mom’s wounds did not seem to be the result of a mere accident, per ABC News.
In February 2023, Collin Griffith fatally shot his father, Charles Griffith, but he was not charged after he claimed self-defense, which ultimately could not be ruled out.
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Cathy shared an eerie Instagram post on September 7.
On Sunday, September 8, the teen called 911 to report that his mom “fell on a knife” during a fight, reported ABC News. The day before her death, on September 7, Cathy Griffith shared a haunting and cryptic post on social media. She used Taylor Swift lyrics to caption a photo of a footbridge leading into a forest. The lyrics are from Taylor Swift’s song, “It’s Time to Go.”
“That old familiar body ache, The snaps from the same little breaks in your soul. You know when it’s time to go…Sometimes, givin’ up is the strong thing,” Cathy Griffith captioned her post.
She shared many photos of her son on Instagram.
After fatally shooting his dad in February 2023, Collin Griffith began living with his mom in Port Charlotte, Florida. Cathy Griffith’s Instagram grid is full of images of her with her son. Most recently, the mom posted about her son starting college on August 20. “First day of being full time college student!!! He graduated early, already has 18 college credits and now he’s off to his first full semester!” she captioned the post. On September 4, Cathy Griffith celebrated her 39th birthday.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped me see that life is an adventure worth living and fighting for everyday. Life lessons are just those- lessons,” she wrote on Instagram on September 5. “I’ve learned some of the hardest lessons in my 30’s but I’m vowing that my 39th year will be a year of living life to its fullest.”
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Collin Griffith had a history of violence toward his mother.
Collin Griffith’s grandmother spoke to investigators about the teen’s history of violence toward his mom. In September 2023, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was called to do a mental health check after Collin Griffith said that he and his mom had gotten into an altercation. The teen claimed that his mom had threatened to kill him or herself, per NBC 2. Cathy Griffith said this story was not true, and Collin Griffith was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation. When he was meant to be released from the mental health facility, Collin Griffith reportedly said he would kill himself or his mom, so he was readmitted. He later returned to live with his mom.
In November 2023, the teen was arrested on domestic violence charges. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, per WFLA, that “the reason he battered his mother is because she was disciplining him and took his video game privileges away. He pushed her to the ground and he stomped on her.”
Neighbors witnessed the fight between the mother and son.
Witnesses described seeing Collin and Cathy Griffith argue on the day of her murder. One neighbor told WFLA that there were “a few arguments” between the teen and his mom before Collin Griffith “just grabbed her, looked like he grabbed her by the hair.” Collin Griffith called 911 later that day to say that his mom “fell on a knife” during a fight and was “bleeding from the neck,” per NBC2. A bloody kitchen knife was found inside the home, and Cathy Griffith died as a result of a deep knife wound.
The teen did not seem upset.
When deputies arrived at the scene, Collin Griffith did not seem emotional. Instead, the teen was “calm, cool, collected — not upset,” per ABC News. He also reportedly said, “I know my rights, I want an attorney.”
Eric Reyes, Cathy Griffith’s attorney and friend, described Collin Griffith as “manipulative” when speaking to NBC2. Speaking of Cathy Griffith, Eric told the news outlet, “Unfortunately, it’s unconditional love of your child, but it cost her life in this case.”
