Florida Teen Arrested for Murdering His Mother, One Year After Killing His Father
Collin Griffith, a 17-year-old from Florida, has been accused of killing both his father and mother in separate incidents.
The Incident with His Father (2023)
In February 2023, Collin Griffith was involved in a deadly confrontation with his father, Charles Griffith, in Oklahoma. Collin claimed that his father pulled a knife and chased him through the house during an argument, trapping him in a bedroom. In response, Collin shot his father twice, once in the head and once in the chest. Although there were inconsistencies in his story, such as evidence not matching his account, the murder charges were eventually dropped because authorities couldn’t completely rule out self-defense.
The Murder of His Mother (2024)
In September 2024, one year after his father’s death, Collin was arrested again, this time for allegedly murdering his mother, Catherine Griffith. The incident occurred at their home in Auburndale, Florida. Collin called 911, claiming that he and his mother had argued, and she lunged at him with a knife, accidentally stabbing herself in the neck. However, police found inconsistencies between Collin’s story and the physical evidence, leading them to believe that this was not an accident
Witnesses reported seeing Collin dragging his mother into the house by her hair, and they heard her begging for him to let her go. This suggested a violent confrontation that contradicted Collin’s claim of an accidental stabbing.
Collin’s Mental Health and Behavior
Collin’s behavior raised serious concerns about his mental and emotional state. After the killing of his father, Collin moved in with his mother, but tensions between them escalated. His grandmother and others reported that Collin had been physically and verbally confrontational with his mother before. He was even arrested in November 2023 for domestic battery involving his mother.
Although no official mental health diagnosis has been provided, authorities, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, have described Collin as a “psychopath” due to his violent actions and lack of remorse. His repeated violent behavior toward both his parents indicates that he may have been dealing with serious psychological issues.
Conclusion
Collin Griffith is currently in jail, charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and other offenses related to his mother’s death. He is being held without bail as authorities continue their investigation. His history of violence and confrontational behavior, along with the brutal nature of the crimes, suggests underlying emotional and psychological struggles that were not addressed in time.
