Jim Matthews murder: Killer Arthur Williamson visited his GF Nicole 4 times a week while newscaster slept
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: Michigan overnight news anchor Jim Matthews' killer Arthur Williamson, 55, visited the victim's girlfriend up to four times a week while the newscaster slept, neighbors have claimed. Williamson was charged with the murder of Matthews, 57 after the anchor was found beaten to death. He then stabbed Matthews' girlfriend and injured his son, 10, and daughter, 5.
Williamson was found overdosing on heroin in the home's basement after the attacks and was revived with Narcan. He has been hit with seven felony charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, and three counts of unlawful imprisonment, and is being held without bond at present. Williamson reportedly has a lengthy criminal history dating back 30 years. He has been convicted on charges of kidnapping and assault among others, Daily Mail reports.
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The news anchor worked for WWJ NewsRadio 950. The relationship between him and Williamson remains unclear. However, neighbors have said the suspect used to visit Matthews' girlfriend Nicole Guertin up to four times a week while Matthews slept after returning from his overnight shifts.
According to Chesterfield Township Police, Williamson arrived at Matthews' house "sometime in the middle of the night" last week. He then attacked the anchor and beat him to death with a hammer. Matthews reportedly died of blunt force trauma to the head. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said there were no signs of breaking and entering.
Guertin, 35, managed to flee the property after being stabbed multiple times. She had also been gagged and bound. Guertin escaped with their daughter Rosie, who was seriously injured. They flagged down a car after collapsing in a nearby parking lot. Hunter, their son, was hit with a hammer, bound, and thrown into a closet. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He had to undergo brain and ear surgery after trying to fight the attacker.
A GoFundMe was set up for Rosie and Hunter. "Hi, my name is Ashley, otherwise known as Auntie. My sister and her two kids were recently victims of the nationally known news story about Jim Matthews and his children in Chesterfield, Michigan. I am working on getting these kids everything they need. My niece is doing well, but my nephew is in critical condition. Last night he was forced to undergo brain surgery and ear surgery. He has come through both successfully. He is still currently sedated and is staying in the Pediatric ICU. I and my husband are taking care of my niece and advocating for my nephew as he goes through the biggest challenge he has yet to face; recovering from a vicious, needless attack," the page reads. "Anything donated is going to these two kids. They have been through so much and I feel like the least I can do is create something that helps them adapt to what comes after this tragedy." At the time of writing this article, $16,438 USD had been raised for the $25,000 goal.