The Michigan news anchor’s 10-year-old son, who was killed in a brutal attack at his own home by his mother’s friend, is off a ventilator and doing better, the family said.
Hunter Matthews, one of anchor Jim Matthews’ two children, suffered severe blunt force trauma after being hit with a hammer at her home in Chesterfield Township on September 23. The children’s mother, Nichole Guertin, was also attacked and is in stable condition.
According to neighbors, the man accused of murder visited Guertin up to four times a week while the news anchor slept after his night shift.
Arthur Williamson, 55, has been charged with Matthews’ murder after allegedly beating him to death on Friday before stabbing his girlfriend and injuring his young son and daughter.
On Tuesday, WWJ – the radio station where Jim worked – confirmed that her late colleague’s son appeared to be recovering from the brutal attack.
The family told the outlet Hunter opened his eyes and could respond to a verbal command by squeezing a hand when asked.
Hunter had to undergo emergency surgery after suffering serious injuries in the attack on the family home in Chesterfield Township. Officials did not specify Rosie’s injuries.
Jim Matthews, 57, was brutally murdered September 23 at his Michigan home. Matthew’s girlfriend and children were also attacked but managed to survive
Also, Jim’s five-year-old daughter, Rosie, who was also injured in the attack, was discharged from the hospital.
Rosie’s injuries were less serious than those of her brother and mother. The exact injuries she sustained were not specified.
Guertin miraculously escaped the home with her daughter after she was stabbed multiple times.
10-year-old Hunter (left) makes strides after the brutal attack that left his father, Jim Matthews, and mother, Nichole Guertin, dead in critical condition. Rosie (right) was also injured in the attack but was later discharged from hospital
Nichole Guertin (centre) with five-year-old Rosie (left) and ten-year-old Hunter (right) before the attack that killed Guertin’s friend and the children’s father, Jim Matthews.
The mother of two was able to stop a driver near the home and ask him to call 911.
A GoFundMe page organized by Ashely Quigley, Guertin’s sister, has raised more than $16,000 since it started just days ago.
According to the fundraiser’s description, all money raised will go to Hunter and “everything that’s donated goes to these two kids.”
“They have been through so much and I feel like the least I can do is create something to help them adjust to what comes after this tragedy,” the aunt wrote.
The mother of two was able to stop a driver near the home and ask him to call 911
The family said Tuesday that Rosie (left) has been discharged from hospital and that Hunter, 10, is showing improvement after multiple surgeries
Arthur Williamson, the man arrested in the attack at a house in Chesterfield Township
Quigley has also used the site to post updates on the condition of her family members as they recover.
On Monday, Hunter and Rosie’s aunt shared that the young girl was “still acting like her normal, happy self” despite the seriousness of the situation.
In the same post, Quigley also shared that Hunter “had a couple of victories of his own,” including a successful surgery and the removal of his C-collar.
Hunter had to undergo both brain surgery and ear surgery after being hit with a hammer during the horrific attack.
A C-collar is a special type of neck brace used to stabilize the cervical spine after surgery or trauma to the area.
Hunter was discovered by officers stuffed in a closet after being hit with a hammer as he attempted to pull his father’s attacker from him
Reports after the attack suggested the 10-year-old boy wrestled the attacker from his father.
The boy was later found tied up in a closet by first responders.
Upon arriving at the home, authorities found the 57-year-old news anchor dead, as did Williamson, the 54-year-old male suspect who overdosed on heroin.
Williamson also suffered from self-inflicted wounds in the basement of the home, authorities said at the time.
Matthew’s brother, Joe Nicolai, described the scene as “not even something you would see in a horror movie”.
On Monday, the defendant was charged with seven felonies in Macomb County, Michigan, for what prosecutors have described as a “hammer attack.”
Williamson, whose exact relationship to the victims is unclear, was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and three counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to DetroitNews.com.
The scene where investigators found Jim Matthews dead and his girlfriend and two young children brutally assaulted in Chesterfield Township
Matthew’s older brother, Joe Nicolai, who lives next door, said he thinks he saw Williamson in the neighborhood.
Other reports suggested that Williamson may have been “a family friend.”
The defendant is being held without bail at the Macomb County Jail.
Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said Monday there may be more charges against Williamson.
“We have a long road to recovery ahead of us and once again I can’t thank you enough for all you are doing to help us,” Quigley said.