MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Police are investigating what they described as a murder-attempted suicide at a suburban Detroit home that left a news radio anchor dead and four others injured.
Chesterfield Township police said a 57-year-old man died and WWJ Newsradio 950 late Friday, Sept. 23 identified the person as overnight news anchor Jim Matthews.
WWJ posted a story about Matthews on its web site.
“Jim worked as the overnight news anchor for nearly seven years. He would often talk to co-workers about his children and his love for them and their adventures at school,” according to the story.
The story went on to say that Matthew’s girlfriend and his two children were injured in the incident.
Chesterfield Township police said a 54-year-old man had been deemed a suspect. The man was found injured in the basement of the home where police also found the deceased man and a 10-year-old boy bound in a closet.
The house is in the Hidden Harbor Condominiums in the area of Hooker Road and Jefferson Avenue.
WWJ, in the story, said Matthews “was a consummate professional and was dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry. He loved delivering the latest news to his listeners.
“There have been many tears shed in our newsroom this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family and friends,” the story read.
Chesterfield Township Public Safety Chief Brian Bassett, during a news conference Friday, gave the ages and conditions of those injured. They are a 35-year-old woman in critical condition, a 10-year-old boy in critical condition, a 5-year-old girl in stable condition and the 54-year-old suspect in stable condition.
Bassett said the suspect had what police believe was a self-inflicted wound and was also suspected of overdosing. No guns were involved in the incident.
The woman had been stabbed and the 10-year-old had injuries from blunt force trauma, police said.
Police responded to the area about noon Friday after a motorist stopped to help the woman and the 5-year-old. Bassett said she had escaped the home.
Bassett talked about domestic violence during the press conference, but did not specify the suspect’s relationship to the others in the incident. He said the suspect was frequently at the home, but police were still investigating the relationship between everyone involved.
“Our investigation has determined this is an isolated tragedy that does not present a danger to our community at this time,” he said.
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