Kelsey Annese and Matthew Hutchinson were fatally stabbed in an apartment in Geneseo, New York. (SUNY-Geneseo)
Two popular student-athletes at SUNY-Geneseo were fatally stabbed in a double murder-suicide Sunday morning, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reports.
Kelsey Annese, 21, and Matthew Hutchinson, 24, were found dead in an apartment in the small New York town along with Annese’s ex-boyfriend, Colin Kingston, a 24-year-old former student at the university. New York State Police say Kingston killed himself after murdering Annese and Hutchinson.
Kingston was angry because Annese, of Webster, New York, had broken up with him, according to police. Annese played on the school’s basketball team and Hutchinson, of North Vancouver, Canada, was a hockey player.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Kingston Called His Father & Said He Had Murdered His Girlfriend
Colin Kingston killed himself after fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend and another SUNY-Geneseo student, police say. (LinkedIn)
Police found Colin Kingston, Kelsey Annese and Matthew Hutchinson dead at about 6 a.m. in an off-campus apartment on Wadsworth Street in Geneseo, the Democrat & Chronicle reports.
They had all suffered stab wounds from a large, knife, police said.
According to police and radio transmissions recorded from a scanner, the officers were sent to the apartment after Kingston’s father called 911. He told police that his son had killed his Annese and was going to kill himself.
Kingston’s father called 911 at about 6:30 a.m.
“When the phone call was terminated by Colin, shortly thereafter Colin [appeared to] have taken his own life,” Geneseo Police Public Information Officer Jeffrey Szczesniak told reporters at a press conference Monday afternoon, according to the Buffalo News.
2. Annese & Kingston Had Dated for 3 Years Before She Broke Up With Him
Kelsey Annese dated Colin Kingston for about three years, police said. (Facebook)
Kingston and Annese had dated for about three years, police said Monday. She had recently broken up with him, according to police.
“We believe Mr. Kingston was distraught over the breakup, which led to the events yesterday,” Officer Szczesniak said at the press conference.
Police said Annese was not dating the other victim, Hutchinson.
It’s not immediately clear exactly when Annese and Kingston broke up.
Kingston had last been seen Saturday night in the Geneseo bar district, police said Monday at a press conference. The killings happened hours later. Police said Kingston had recently made “suicidal comments” to people.
Two other people were in the home when the stabbing happened, police said. Kingston climbed up “flights of stairs” to get to the room where Hutchinson and Annese were sleeping, according to police.
3. She Was a Captain on Geneseo’s Basketball Team
Kelsey Annese was a captain on the Geneseo basketball team. (Facebook)
Annese was a senior guard on SUNY-Geneseo’s basketball team, according to the school’s website. She was a captain, despite her role as a bench player.
She played in a game Saturday just hours before her death, scoring a career high five points, including a key three-point play just before halftime.
“It was the best I’ve ever seen her play. I’ve never seen her so happy after (a game),” teammate Dana Cohan told the Democrat & Chronicle. “We were all so happy for her. It’s just weird how things happen.”
Geneseo women’s basketball coach Scott Hemer on Kelsey Annese.
Annese’s parents both graduated from Geneseo, where her father also played basketball. She wore the number 32 in her father’s honor. She was majoring in special education and Spanish.
“Everyone loved Kelsey. She really will be missed by a lot of people,” her Geneseo teammate, Kara Houppert, told the Democrat & Chronicle. “She was an extremely hard-working, dedicated and a sweet girl that could put a smile on anyone’s face. She always did that for me.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help her family with funeral expenses.
4. Hutchinson Was a Defenseman on the Hockey Team & Was Also a Volunteer Firefighter Who Fought Wildfires in Canada
XMAS card from GFD to “Hutch”
Matt was killed with Kelsey Annese by Colin Kingston who then killed self @DandC
Hutchinson was a senior defenseman on the school’s hockey team. He was also a volunteer firefighter in Geneseo and had battled wildfires in his native Canada with the British Columbia Wildlife Service over the summer.
Like Annese, Hutchinson had played in a game on Saturday, recording an assist in Geneseo’s 6-2 victory over Franklin Pierce.
Hutchinson was majoring in geography and minoring in business studies. He played junior hockey for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the British Columbia Hockey League. Hutchinson
He was remembered fondly by his hockey teammates and fellow firefighters.
“He was an incredible kid,” his Chilliwack Chiefs coach told the Vancouver Sun. “The kid was always smiling. He was always upbeat. He was just one of those teammates or players that you just love to have on your team. He just got along with everybody.”
Hutchinson while fighting fires in British Columbia.
Geneseo Fire Chief Andrew Chanler told the Democrat & Chronicle, “It really was very special for us to be a part of Matt’s life. This has not been easy.”
Hutchinson became a volunteer firefighter in 2012, despite being a full-time student and college hockey player.
“A lot of times, you’ll be in the middle of doing some homework and you’ll hear his radio start blaring out a call,” teammate Ryan Donnelly said in an article written by the Geneseo athletic department. “Sometimes in the middle of the night, you’ll hear the town siren go off, which means the next thing you’ll hear is the stomp of boots going down the stairs and out the door before you hear a truck speeding off to go answer the call.”
Hutchinson wanted to be a full-time firefighter after college.
“The discipline, coordination, being a good communicator and listener, the physicality, as well as the type of people you get to work with and the teamwork and comradery you build, those are all the things that drew me to play hockey and now, being a firefighter,” he said. “Hockey helped get me to college, so I’m looking forward to being able to translate what I have loved about being a hockey player into being able to make a difference for the rest of my life.”
5. The University Has Set Up Support for Students
SUNY-Geneseo said on its website that it is offering support to students affected by the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved. It is our hope that we can rally together to support each other during this time of mourning,” the school said on a webpage set up to provide updates about the tragic deaths.
Upcoming men’s and women’s basketball games were cancelled. A remembrance ceremony is being planned.
“If you have been impacted by this event and would like to speak to a qualified professional, the following resources are available to you. If you feel overwhelmed or worried that you may hurt yourself or someone else please do not hesitate, seek assistance. University Police is available at all times (585-245-5222) or utilize the resources listed on this page. We’re here to help.”
Click here for more information.
