x
Breaking News
More () »

Family buries DC stalking victim, demands answers

DC prosecutors charged convicted stalker Michael Garrett with murdering Sylvia Matthews. Family questions whether enough was done to prevent her death.

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of friends, family and co-workers of Sylvia Matthews gathered Wednesday morning at St. Stephen’s Baptist church in Camp Springs, Maryland to lay the 71-year-old to rest. Though Matthews' death had been horrific, those who knew her chose to celebrate her life. 

"Sylvia Matthews lived on 55 Elmira Street, Southwest D.C. for 33 years," the church bishop said at her funeral. "She doesn't didn’t live there anymore." 

Matthews' family chose to bury her at Fort Lincoln cemetery.

DC Police said they found Matthews dead at the bottom of her basement stairs on Dec. 3. She had been beaten and dragged there, police said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that Matthews called DC Police four times from October to December, saying that a man named Michael Garrett was stalking and threatening to kill her.

Garrett was released from prison in March on COVID early release. He was serving a sentence for breaking into Matthews same D.C. house in 1998.

"I wish I had been speaking at her retirement party instead of her funeral," said Sharon Shipp, Matthew's supervisor at D.C.'s Insurance Department. "Sylvia was one of those people who always made others feel welcomed and cared about. She was always willing to step up and help people in need."

Credit: Nathan Baca
Sylvia Matthews' memorial service at St. Stephen's Baptist Church

Sylvia’s niece Sheila spoke for the family, who called Sylvia by her middle name Diane.

Credit: Nathan Baca
Sylvia Matthews' niece Sheila speaking at a memorial service

"We will always be a family, in this life and the next," said Sheila Matthews. "I love you, Aunt Diane, always and forever. It’s been my absolute honor to be your niece. Please give Daddy and Nana a big huge hug for me."

Credit: Matthews family
Sylvia Matthews

RELATED: 'Something is different in 2021' | Police fear more domestic violence cases this holiday season

WUSA9 has asked repeated questions to law enforcement about their handling of Matthew’s repeated calls that Garrett was stalking her before police arrested Garrett for allegedly murdering Matthews.

DC Police and the US Attorney’s office declined further comment saying it was under investigation.

Credit: CSOSA
Michael Garrett in his 2021 DC Probation photo

RELATED: Woman who called police twice asking for protection from alleged stalker found dead in home hours later

Garrett’s public defender tried to explain in court last week that Garrett was found in Matthews basement next to her body because he had just found her and tried to help. A judge didn’t agree, and decided to not allow Garrett to get out on bail. He’s charged with second-degree murder.

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out