GoFundMe page created to support WWJ anchor Jim Matthews’ children after botched murder-suicide
Trigger warning: The article contains graphic description of crime that may be traumatic to some readers. Discretion is advised.
CHESTERFIELD, MICHIGAN: A GoFundMe page has been created to help aid the children of WWJ overnight anchor Jim Matthews who was killed in a gruesome murder-suicide and his family was left terrorized after the horrific ordeal unfolded on Friday, September 23 in Chesterfield Township. While there is no update provided by the Chesterfield police, it is known that Matthews' 35-year-old girlfriend and 10-year-old son Hunter are in critical condition and his 5-year-old daughter is stable and recovering from her injuries.
Ashley Quigley, the aunt of the two children has created a GoFundMe page to help them with a goal of $10,000. The 5-year-old is doing well and the 10-year-old boy was forced to undergo brain and ear surgeries on Friday night. He has come through both successfully and remains in the pediatric ICU, according to aunt Quigley. The Chesterfield police have caught the suspect but have not released information on his motive.
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During the horrifying incident, Jim Matthews whose legal name is Jim Nicolai was murdered in his condo. "A 35-year-old white female (Jim's girlfriend) had escaped with her five-year-old daughter,” said Chesterfield Police Chief Brian Bassett. “She was suffering from stab wounds at that time. Our police officers and firefighters began rendering aid. Additional officers made entry into the home, where we found a 57-year-old white male (Jim) deceased.” A 54-year-old family friend is a suspect after he attacked Matthews and his family. The suspect frequently came to Matthews' house and was invited before the bloodshed, said police.
Matthew's heartbroken brother Joe Nicolai said, “He comes home about 5:30 in the morning and was probably surprised and attacked, and I believe that Hunter was trying to fight off this man that was attacking and trying to kill his father, and that’s how Hunter ended up injured and tied and put into a closet," according to Detroit News. Hunter was beaten in the head with a hammer, bound, and left in a closet as he fought the suspect to save his father, and his five-year-old sister suffered from stab wounds, said the authorities.
The 54-year-old suspect was found in the condo’s basement with self-inflicted wounds, and police say he attempted to a drug overdose but survived. Aunt Quigley wrote on the GoFundMe page, "I and my husband are taking care of my niece and advocated for my nephew as he goes through the biggest challenge he has yet to face; recovering from a vicious, needless attack." There is currently no update on Matthews' girlfriend. Chesterfield police officials said they are investigating the case as a murder and attempted suicide.