Mich. man arrested after news anchor found dead, 10-year-old son bound in closet, girlfriend stabbed

CHESTERFIELD, Mich. (TCD) -- A 55-year-old man was charged this week after he allegedly killed a 57-year-old news anchor with a hammer, stabbed the victim’s girlfriend, and locked a 10-year-old in a closet.

On Friday, Sept. 23, the Chesterfield Police Department said they were investigating a domestic incident that left one person dead and three others hospitalized.

In a press conference, Chesterfield Police Director of Public Safety Brian Bassett provided more details about the attack, saying a 35-year-old woman suffering from stab wounds escaped a home with her 5-year-old daughter. Police and fire officials rendered aid to the woman, and as other officers went inside, they located the victim along with a 10-year-old boy who had been bound, locked in a closet, and suffered blunt force trauma.

Bassett said the suspect was in the basement suffering from self-inflicted wounds and an overdose.

The 35-year-old woman, who police said had an "intimate partnership" with the male victim, is reportedly in critical but stable condition. The 10-year-old boy is in critical condition and the 5-year-old girl is stable. The suspect was also reportedly in stable condition.

In the press conference, Bassett said the suspect and victims knew one another.

The victim was identified as WWJ-FM news anchor Jim Matthews. He reportedly had worked as the overnight news anchor for seven years and he was the father of the two children.

The radio station said in a statement, "He 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."

According to the Macomb County Prosecutor, Matthews reportedly died from a hammer attack.

The Detroit News reports the suspect, Arthur Williamson, was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, and three counts of unlawful imprisonment.

In a second press conference Monday, Sept. 26, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said Williamson could face additional charges as the investigation continues.

He was denied bond on Monday, Sept. 26.

According to a GoFundMe page started by the children’s aunt and the 35-year-old victim’s sister, the 10-year-old boy remains in critical condition and was "forced to undergo brain surgery and ear surgery," but he has "come through both successfully."

He’s reportedly in a pediatric ICU.

Williamson has a lengthy criminal history. The Michigan Department of Corrections offender information shows he was arrested in 1993 on drug-related charges and spent eight years behind bars. Three months after getting out, he was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon, kidnapping, and assault with intent to commit murder. He was in prison for nine years. In 2013, he was charged with assault/resist/obstructing a police officer and was sentenced in 2015 to three years.

MORE:

• Press Release: Murder and Attempted Suicide - Chesterfield Police Department
• Man dead, woman stabbed, 10-year-old tied up and beaten in Chesterfield attack - WJBK
• Chesterfield Twp. hammer attack resulted in death - Macomb County Prosecutor
• Chesterfield murder suspect denied bond in deadly stabbing of Detroit journalist - WJBK YouTube
• Suspect arraigned in radio anchor's fatal Macomb County stabbing - The Detroit News
• WWJ overnight anchor Jim Matthews has died at age 57 - WWJ
• Offender Information - Michigan Department of Corrections
• Suspect facing murder charges after WWJ anchor killed, woman and children hurt in Chesterfield Township - WJBK