A teenager in Florida, Collin Griffith, is facing charges of first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his mother, Catherine Griffith, to death in September 2023. The incident occurred just months after a disturbing bodycam video surfaced, showing Griffith speaking to his grandmother about a confrontation with his mother in November 2023. In the video, Griffith, who was in police custody at the time, can be heard telling his grandmother, “I’m not a psychopath,” and insisting, “I’m not a murderer.” This conversation took place after a heated argument with his mother, which led to police involvement and Griffith’s arrest for domestic violence.
During the exchange, Griffith expressed feeling as though he was in a constant state of “fight or flight,” admitting to the deputy that he feared he might hurt his mother if he felt threatened. He claimed that he would act if he believed his mother was going to harm him, although he insisted he did not want to go “crazy.” Griffith’s mother reportedly hit him during the argument, which triggered his response. The deputy questioned him further, asking if he was certain he wouldn’t hurt his mother, to which Griffith replied, “Only if she tries to hurt me.”
At the time of the bodycam footage, Griffith was being arrested for an earlier incident in which he allegedly pushed his mother to the ground and stomped on her after she took away his video game privileges. He had claimed that he acted in self-defense, but this defense was rejected, and he was taken into custody. His grandmother told police that Griffith had expressed a desire to leave his mother’s home and live in foster care, citing unresolved issues with her. Despite this, he was told he had to return home.
Griffith’s history of violent behavior raises concerns about his mental health. Earlier in 2023, he was involuntarily committed after allegedly making threats to kill himself or his mother. In that instance, he reportedly said, “I’ll kill myself, or I’ll kill my mother by shooting or stabbing her.” This troubling statement was made before the fatal incident in September.
The murder of Catherine Griffith occurred in a 55-and-over community in Auburndale, Florida. Griffith allegedly called the police after the stabbing, claiming that he and his mother had been involved in a long fight, and that she had fallen on a knife. However, investigators determined that the injuries sustained by Catherine Griffith, who was found with multiple stab wounds to the neck, were inconsistent with his account. The medical examiner ruled that the death was not accidental, and the sheriff’s office stated that Griffith’s explanation was not plausible.
Griffith’s actions following his mother’s death also raised suspicion. When police arrived, he appeared calm and collected, showing no signs of remorse. According to the sheriff, Griffith looked the deputy in the eye and declared, “I know my rights” and requested an attorney. His demeanor was described as detached, further fueling concerns about his mental state and potential for violence.
The case has drawn attention due to Griffith’s prior history of violent behavior, including the alleged killing of his father in Oklahoma in 2023. He had claimed self-defense in that case and avoided prosecution. Authorities are now seeking to charge him as an adult for the murder of his mother. He is currently being held without bond while awaiting further legal proceedings.
