GENESEO, N.Y. — A haunting anniversary arrives this Saturday, marking ten years since the tragic deaths of SUNY Geneseo student athletes Kelsey Annese and Matthew Hutchinson in a double murder-suicide. On Jan. 17, 2016, law enforcement responded to a distress call early in the morning, discovering the bodies of Annese, her ex-boyfriend Colin Kingston, and Hutchinson at a residence on Wadsworth Street.
According to investigators, Kingston attacked Annese and Hutchinson before taking his own life. The alarming sequence began when Kingston contacted his father, admitting to the violent act. Hutchinson, who was not only a promising player on the men’s hockey team but also served as a firefighter and EMT for the Geneseo Fire Department, was mourned deeply by his peers and community.
In the days that followed, the Geneseo campus grappled with the unsettling reality of the event. Students shared their heartache, reflecting on the loss of their friends and teammates. Geneseo Fire Chief Andrew Chanler disclosed the profound grief shared within the department, describing Hutchinson as an irreplaceable member whose absence still weighs heavily on their hearts. “We lost a great person in an awful tragedy,” he expressed shortly after the incident.
As Saturday’s memorial approaches, the Geneseo Fire Department took to social media to honor Annese and Hutchinson’s legacies. In their heartfelt tribute, they emphasized the dedication, leadership, and passion both athletes exhibited during their time at the university. The post struck a chord within the community, underscoring the impact that Annese and Hutchinson had on their teammates and those who knew them.
During the men’s hockey game against Manhattanville on the anniversary, the Geneseo Fire Department’s color guard will participate in a tribute to Hutchinson, providing a solemn reminder of the community’s ongoing remembrance of the two fallen athletes. Events like this serve to affirm the spirit of those lost and unite the campus once more in solidarity.
Years later, the scars from that fateful day continue to shape the lives of those touched by the tragedy. Mental health initiatives and discussions around campus safety have gained momentum in response to the heartache experienced, illustrating a collective desire for healing and prevention.
The community continues to support one another, reminding athletes and students that they are never alone, even in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. As Geneseo approaches this significant milestone, it serves as both a remembrance of Kelsey Annese and Matthew Hutchinson, and a call to foster understanding and compassion among all.