11-year-old among three found dead in home after SWAT standoff

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati police have identified three people found dead in a College Hill home after an hours-long SWAT standoff.

Police said 78-year-old Patricia McCollum, 32-year-old DJ McCollum and 11-year-old Kaydence McCollum were found dead with stab wounds at a home in the 1000 block of Springbrook Drive.

Cincinnati Public Schools said Kaydence was a student at Parker Woods Montessori School. The district issued the following statement:

“Cincinnati Public Schools is mourning the death of Parker Woods Montessori School student Kaydence McCollum. We are aware of this tragic event and extend our sympathy and support to the family, friends and school community. The district emergency response team will be at the school on Friday to provide support to students.”

Officers responded to the home shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday for an “unknown problem,” police said. After arriving at the scene, it turned out that an adult man was inside with a knife.

After hours of negotiations, the adult male – now identified as 66-year-old Anthony Mathis – was taken into custody and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with self-inflicted stab wounds. Police said Mathis later died from his injuries.

The police did not provide any information about the victims’ relationship with the suspect. Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call the CPD Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542.

Patricia McCollum is a well-known foster mom in the area, and DJ was one of her adopted children when she first fostered him. You can read more about her here.