Grandmother of former Syracuse teen honors grandson's memory
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — After 17-year-old Khalil Wigfall, a former Syracuse resident, was tragically stabbed to death by his mother, grandmother Cathy Keenan continues to process what happened on March 2.
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When Keenan hosted her daughter-in-law, 39-year-old Daniele McDowell, and her grandson on Thanksgiving, she had no idea it would be the last time she would ever see them.
'They were the only ones who came over to my house for Thanksgiving, and I laid down saying, 'Lord, they're not coming,' and then there was a knock on the door,' Keenan said. 'She loved my turkey wings, so she said, 'Ms. Cathy, can you cook me a pan of turkey wings,' and I did.'
Three months later, Keenan heard devastating news that both were dead. Wigfall was stabbed to death by his mother, a United States Army veteran. She was also killed by police who say she charged at them with a knife.
'It was just devastating,' Keenan said. 'We all broke out screaming, hollering, crying, and we just couldn't believe it.'
Keenan said her daughter-in-law suffered from mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorder. The tragedy happened outside of Atlanta in Hiram, Georgia. Now, the pain continues to be felt in the Salt City where Wigfall grew up, and, until last year, had called the Northside home.
'He had this awesome smile that, if you met him, he would just warm your heart,' Keenan said.
Wigfall attended Henninger High School until 2024, where he lit up the hallways with his infectious smile. It was a place where he could express his love for basketball, swimming, academics, and friendship.
Keenan said his friends, fellow students, and teachers are feeling the weight of his loss.
'My son did go up and let them know that he was deceased, and they just cried,' she said. 'I mean, he was a loving person so…at the funeral…they want to attend.'
Keenan said Wigfall's father, Steven, wants his body to be returned to Syracuse for a funeral and a burial.
The officers involved in the case are currently on routine paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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