The suspected stabber had previously been charged with domestic violence

CINCINNATI – The man who allegedly stabbed three people to death in College Hill on Thursday previously filed charges against one of the victims.

Anthony Mathis, 66, died of self-inflicted stab wounds at UC Medical Center after Cincinnati police arrested him following an hours-long SWAT standoff.

Last April, Mathis was charged with choking and domestic violence against Patricia McCollum, one of three officers found dead in the home after taking Mathis into custody.

According to the criminal complaint, McCollum said Mathis, her son-in-law, “choked her, causing pain in her neck while also lifting her off the ground.”

A judge granted McCollum’s request for a temporary restraining order.

A grand jury declined to indict Mathis on the strangulation charges. Months later, the domestic violence charge was “dismissed for lack of prosecution.”

In 2022, Mathis was convicted of giving up weapons, including a machete, to other people.

Police have not identified a motive for Thursday’s stabbings.

Friends remember McCollum as a community advocate for foster children, people with disabilities and teen mothers.

Strangulation charges are considered felony charges

In 2023, Senate Bill 288 made Ohio the last state in the country to make strangulation a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

That distinction is “very important,” said Maria York, policy director for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.

“If it’s not fatal in the first incident, it will happen again and it could be fatal,” York said.

She said the ODVN works with doctors and law enforcement to educate about the signs and dangers of strangulation because “there are often no physical signs visible” after an incident.

“For those who have been strangled, connecting them with an attorney is so important because they can come up with a safety plan, talk about the deadly nature of strangulation, and connect them with resources so they can make better, informed decisions .” about their next steps,” York said.

Here are some specific resources Security planning [odvn.org] and a Guide for Family and Friends [odvn.org] to help someone they know in an abusive relationship.

Women helping women

“There is never an incident or point during abuse that is too minor or serious for a survivor to contact an advocate,” said Kristin Shrimplin, president and CEO of Women Helping Women.

The agency serves nearly 9,000 survivors and works with law enforcement so their advocates can respond to domestic violence calls.

“It’s unique to this state and most of the country,” she said. “We ask (the victims) a crucial question: What do you want to see now? And what does help look like?”

The types of support the agency can provide include physical, mental, legal and financial support.

“Instead of thinking that we as a system or as a whole know what’s best, it’s our responsibility to work together, work together and then show up and ask survivors the key question: ‘What would you like to see now?'” Shrimplin said.

Lawyers pick up the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“I want to be very clear with the survivors. You can call us anytime, as often as you need and as often as you want,” she said.

Verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, physical violence, sexual violence or other threats are all experiences experienced by survivors, she said: “Gender-based violence is about power, control and isolation… we will respond.”

If you need help, call or text Women helping women Hotline: 513-381-5610.