Family and friends remember three killed in College Hill stabbing

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – It was a somber scene outside the Holloway House and Resource Center as family and friends held a candlelight vigil for 78-year-old Patricia McCollum, 32-year-old DJ McCollum and 11-year-old Cadence McCollum.

All three victims were stabbed to death in their College Hill home on Oct. 24.

Suspect identified as Anthony Mathis, 66, was found at home with self-inflicted stab wounds and later died in hospital.

Family members of the victims told FOX19 NOW he was also a member of their family.

“Now it’s just a bunch of unanswered questions,” LeVar McCollum said. “My grandmother cared about the community, all she did was serve.”

Patricia is remembered as a pillar of the community, raising dozens of children. The family tells us she adopted DJ when he was a child.

Sonya Harper, Patricia’s long-time friend, says DJ suffered terrible treatment when he was young, but everything changed when Patricia came into his life.

“He was the most loving boy in the world,” Harper said. “It’s hard for me, especially with the DJ. He came into the world with tragedy and left it the same.”

The family says Patricia also took in Cadence when she was a baby.

“Bright and playful – there are not many children like her. She was a standing child. When she felt that someone was being bullied, she stood up for them. The sweetest, kindest girl you’ll ever meet,” Jada McCollum, another of Patricia’s grandchildren, told FOX19 NOW.

The family says they are still in shock over how such a tragedy could happen and are unsure how they can move on as a family without Patricia, DJ and Cadence.

“Now that they’re gone, I’m kind of not lost, but I’m wondering what we should do now,” Levar said.

The family says the support from the community has been overwhelming and has helped encourage them during this difficult time.

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