A New York City mother is grappling with an unimaginable loss following the tragic discovery of her son’s body inside a chimney at a local public school. Sophia Wood is seeking answers after her 29-year-old son, Matthew Collado, was reported missing nearly three weeks prior to the grim find on June 30.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Matthew-Collado-found-dead-in-school-chimney-092226-10ae879018ce4363b1f98466cbef6ba8.jpg)
Matthew’s remains were located in the chimney of P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo, situated in Glendale, Queens, just as the school was closing for the summer. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that officers were alerted to the possibility of human remains at the site, emphasising that there were no students or staff present at the time. As investigations continue, the mysteries surrounding Collado’s untimely demise remain unresolved.
Sophia Wood expressed her profound heartache in an interview, stating, “There’s a void in my gut. I walk around in a daze. I still haven’t believed it yet.” The pivotal moment of confusion and sorrow escalated when she learned that the body found in the school belonged to Matthew, an aspiring rapper whose life was poised for brighter prospects.
Matthew was last seen leaving his apartment in Jamaica, Queens, just after 3 a.m. on May 9, as captured by surveillance footage. His mother had anticipated spending Mother’s Day with him the following day, but he failed to arrive. “I sent him a text, like, ‘Hello?’ Which meant I was annoyed because why am I texting you on Mother’s Day? You’re supposed to be calling me first, right?” Wood recalled, illustrating the concern that quickly evolved into panic.
After discovering that her son’s apartment door was ajar, propped open with a deadbolt, Sophia felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. “He left his phone, his wallet,” she shared. The situation spiralled into fear; she hesitated to enter his flat, grappling with what she might encounter inside. The uncertainty surrounding Matthew’s whereabouts led to his family filing a missing persons report on May 13 and launching their own search efforts.
News of the discovery at the school was unsettling for Sophia, who noted that she had been following it closely in late June. However, it was not until weeks later that officials confirmed to her that her beloved son was the victim in this disturbing case. “Everything about the case — from his late-night departure to the location of his body — makes no sense to her,” reported the Daily News.
The ongoing investigation has left many questions unanswered, including the cause and manner of Matthew’s death, which remains under review by the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The NYPD confirmed that their inquiries into his passing continue as they seek clarity regarding the events leading to this tragic occurrence.
Amid this turmoil, Sophia Wood clings to the memories of her son, who shared his musical aspirations and artistic talent through rap. She listens to the songs he uploaded online, cherishing the warm reminiscence of his “bright smile.” For Sophia, the loss has starkly altered her family’s dynamic. “It was me, my daughter and my son. We were the power of three, and now we’re missing one. It hurts us,” she lamented.
As grief envelops her days, Wood remains resolute in her quest for transparency about what happened to Matthew. As the community and authorities grapple with this shocking turn of events, the Collado family’s story highlights the profound emotional toll inflicted by such tragic circumstances.
As the investigation unfolds, many around the city are left in shock and disbelief, reflecting on the fragility of life and the need for support and justice for those left behind. For Sophia, every unanswered question represents a wound that may never fully heal, and she continues to long for the closure she desperately seeks.