Caleb Smith And Kaleigh Griffin Murder-Suicide, Obituary Kingston, New York: Husband Of Award-Winning Filmmaker Jumped To Death At Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge After Fatal Stabbing Wife In Kingston
A devastating murder-suicide has left the Kingston community reeling after police confirmed that Caleb Smith, 45, fatally stabbed his wife, Kaleigh Griffin, 37, before taking his own life by jumping from the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge on Wednesday afternoon.
The tragedy unfolded around noon, beginning with a call to authorities about a person who had jumped from the bridge into the Hudson River.
The Town of Ulster Police Department quickly responded and recovered the body of Smith from the water. As part of the notification process, officers went to the couple’s home at 82 Fair Street in Kingston, where they discovered Griffin deceased from multiple stab wounds.
According to Kingston Police, evidence strongly suggests that Smith murdered his wife shortly before traveling to the bridge and ending his own life. Investigators are still working to determine a motive.
The couple were the parents of two young children, who are reported to be safe and in the care of family members. Officials have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The murder-suicide has stunned friends, neighbors, and the wider Hudson Valley creative community, where Kaleigh Griffin was a respected and rising voice in independent film. Known for her emotional depth and community-centered storytelling, Griffin earned critical acclaim for her short documentary about a beloved Woodstock figure known as “Jogger John.” The film captured the heart of a town and the story of a local legend who often spent his days sharing stories on the Village Green, feeding the albino skunks behind the Dutch Reformed Church, and bringing smiles to all who met him.
“She had a rare gift,” said a friend and former Woodstock resident. “Kaleigh knew how to tell stories that mattered. Her compassion and authenticity shone through everything she created.”
Those who knew Griffin remember her as kind, generous, and deeply invested in the stories of others. Her sudden death, especially under such tragic and violent circumstances, has left many struggling to process the loss.
“Her work left a mark,” said one local filmmaker. “She gave voice to people who were often overlooked. It’s a painful irony that her own story ended in such silence and pain.”
Caleb Smith, by contrast, was not well known in public circles, and acquaintances say he largely kept to himself. There had been no publicly reported history of domestic violence between the couple, but police have not released full details of their investigation.
The Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police, and the Kingston Police Department’s Detective Division are continuing to investigate the case. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact detectives at 845-331-8404 or email detectives@kingston-ny.gov.
The community is expected to come together in the coming days to honor Kaleigh’s life and legacy, particularly within the local arts scene where her impact was most deeply felt. Her short film on Jogger John remains a testament to her artistic voice and her profound empathy.
