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Detroit radio broadcaster killed during domestic dispute

Jim Matthews, a radio news anchor for WWJ-AM in Detroit, appears in an undated handout image.
Jim Matthews, a radio news anchor for WWJ-AM in Detroit, appears in an undated handout image. (Photo courtesy WWJ-AM, Graphic by The Desk)

A Detroit-area radio news anchor was killed and several other people suffered major injuries following a violent domestic dispute at a home in Michigan this week.

On Friday, radio station WWJ (950 AM) confirmed the man killed in the attack was news anchor Jim Matthews, 57, of Chesterfield Township.

Police say an unnmaed 54-year-old man entered Matthews’ suburban home and fatally stabbed the news anchor in his basement. A 34-year-old woman believed to be Matthews’ girlfriend, suffered serious stab wounds but was able to escape the home and call for help.

A 10-year-old boy was located by police in a closet. The child suffered blunt-force trauma and was found tied up in the closet, according to reports. A 5-year-old girl was also injured in the attack.

Police said the suspected attacker was hospitalized with self-inflicted wounds. The woman and two children were also hospitalized with various injuries ranging from stable to critical.

Investigators said the suspect was a frequent guest at the home, though they’re still trying to figure out how the suspect and Matthews knew each other. Matthews is the father of the two injured children, police confirmed.

A local prosecutor is now reviewing the incident to determine if any charges will be filed against the suspected attacker.

In a statement, a spokesperson for WWJ called Matthews “a consummate professional” and said he was “dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry.”

WWJ is owned by Audacy, Inc, the Philadelphia-based radio company formerly known as Entercom.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is an award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering the business of television and radio broadcasting, streaming services and the overall media industry. In addition to his work as publisher of The Desk, Matthew contributes regularly to StreamTV Insider and KnowTechie, and has worked for several well-known news organizations, including Thomson Reuters, McNaughton Newspapers, Grasswire, Comstock's magazine, KTXL-TV and KGO-TV. Matthew is a member of IRE, a trade organization for investigative reporters and editors, and is based in Northern California.

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