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Father, son stabbed to death in Missouri had local ties to Northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio became the home away from home for Malcolm Mathis II before he moved to Missouri after college graduation.

The memories came flooding back for Kurran and Keytsa Bishop.

“He was just one of those guys that loved everybody,” Kurran said. “And had one of those laughs that were contagious.”

The Akron couple was friends with Malcolm Mathis II for about a decade. The friendship began at a Tallmadge church.

“We met at SPAN ministries at our church, so when he came to Kent State as a grad student, one of our guys invited him to church.”

The couple set up premarital counseling sessions through Skype before Mathis tied the knot with his wife Susan near the St. Louis area.

Northeast Ohio became the home away from home for Mathis before he moved to Missouri after college graduation.

Despite hundreds of miles between Mathis and the Bishops, the connection remained strong. But the couple received the news they never expected on Friday.

“I didn’t want to believe what he was telling me was real” Keytsa said.

It was the news that Mathis and his 22-month-old son, Malcolm Mathis III, were stabbed to death in St. Louis County. Police have arrested Mathis’ nephew, Traveon Sims and his girlfriend Onyai Turner in the stabbing death. The pair are facing two counts of first-degree murder.

Read More I FAMILY OF STABBING VICTIMS KEEP THEIR FAITH

Mathis leaves behind his wife Susan and his 4-year-old daughter. His daughter and mother-in-law were also injured in the stabbing.

“At first I didn’t think it would be someone I knew,” Kurran said. “But when I found it was his nephew, it immediately clicked that is just have been his nephew that he poured so much of his time into.”

Kurran said Mathis invited Traveon, at the time 13-years-old, to a football camp in Ohio. Relatives said Mathis took Sims under his wing as a mentor.

“We’re reminded of the life that he had and the miracle that his daughter is still living, so we’re continually praying.”

Mathis’ cousin, Charles Doxley of Cleveland, called Mathis “a beacon of light and hope” who had a big heart.

Those who knew Mathis and have been touched by his story are coming together, collecting donations for the Mathis family.

“It’s the next best thing, to continue what he started.”

Family members tell KDSK that donations to the Mathis family can be mailed to the address below -- directed to 'The Mathis Family Benefit.'

Commercial Bank

2330 Westport Plaza Dr

Maryland Heights, MO

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