Domestic Murder Shocks Neighbors

Susan Robertson, who police say was stabbed to death by her son early Saturday morning, was remembered by friends and neighbors as a devoted foster mother and active member of her community. 

According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Robertson died early in the morning of Dec. 18 after she had been stabbed multiple times in her home by her son. Police are preparing to charge her 18-year-old son Matthew Robertson with second degree murder, malicious wounding and the use of a knife to cut, stab, or wound another during the commission of a felony.

Friends and neighbors of Susan Robertson reacted with shock and grief upon learning of what happened that morning. 

Neighbor Jackie Brett had known the Robertson family since 2002 when Brett and her family moved into the neighborhood. Susan Robertson and her husband, Neal Robertson, were foster parents who had adopted their children out of foster care, Brett said.

"She was such a caring, giving woman," said Brett. "She was always upbeat--that's what I loved about her."

Brett said that many other families in their neighborhood moved in around the same time, and that as a result, many of the neighbors had become close over the years. 

"She was the core of the family," said Brett. "She held that family together."

Of Matthew Robertson, Brett says that he was a polite child. 

"Matt was always very respectful to us," said Brett. "I watched him grow up…it's surreal to me still."

"She was a very quiet person, a very sweet person," said neighbor Chucky Hammond, who has lived across the street from the Robertsons for about nine years. She remembers watching Matthew playing in the street as a young child. 

"She loved Matthew," said Hammond as she recalled how Susan would go out of her way to make sure her children were safe and healthy.

"She was very loving and would always say 'Hello,'" said Hammond. "I would have never have thought in a million years that something like this would have happened."

According to a Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office press release, Susan Robertson called 911 at 5:42 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, to report that her son was walking around with a knife. 

When Sheriff's deputies arrived they encountered Matthew Robertson at the front door with his upper body covered in blood. Matthew was detained by the Sheriff's deputies after he became combative and would not respond to voice commands, the press release states. 

Matthew's father, mother and sister were all in the home with him, along with a 16-year-old guest of Matthew's. The father had suffered a cut on his forehead and was practically incoherent, according to the press release. Matthew's sister led the deputies to her mother's room where Susan Robertson was found on the brink of death with a faint pulse and suffering from multiple stab wounds. The Sheriff's deputies performed CPR until rescue units arrived and transported by ambulance the victim to Mary Washington Hospital.

According to the press release, Matthew's sister said she awoke to a loud thud and heard voices talking before hearing her mother say "no" twice before falling silent. Matthew's sister then locked herself in her room and hid until the arrival of deputies. 

The press release states that Matthew's friend reported that he was also assaulted by Matthew. The friend was transported to Mary Washington Hospital before being released into the custody of his parent. According to the press release, Matthew's friend told detectives that he and Matthew had been using narcotics and that they "had possibly done some acid."

Matthew was taken to the hospital to be treated for numerous wounds. Detectives are waiting for his release from the hospital before serving charges against him. Around 7 a.m., detectives at the Robertson home were notified that Susan Robertson had died. 

Back in Salem Fields later in the evening on Saturday, Jackie Brett was still reeling from the news. 

"I can't even begin to put into words how this has affected the day and the holiday season," said Brett. "I always told Susan that if there was going to be a place in heaven for anyone, it'd be for her."