Tragic Baby Hunter Dies After Being Killed by Father, Jury Finds
Baby Hunter Mathias, just nine weeks old, collapsed and stopped breathing at his Barnsley home on Friday, November 30, 2018, shortly before 7.45pm. Despite emergency efforts, he died three days later in hospital.
Father Convicted in Heartbreaking Sheffield Crown Court Trial
After a gruelling 13-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court, Hunter’s father, 34-year-old Leon Mathias, was found guilty of murder on Monday, January 30. The jury decided Mathias killed Hunter in a moment of lost control while alone with the crying infant upstairs. He later called Hunter’s mother, downstairs with a friend, to say something was wrong.
Baby Suffered Severe Injuries Before Passing Away
Hunter was rushed to Barnsley District General Hospital, but his brain injury was too severe. Medics battled to save him, but he passed away on Monday, December 3, 2018, at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The court heard powerful testimony from 14 medical experts who revealed Hunter had multiple fractures and bruises, indicating serious abuse.
Justice Served—Father to Be Sentenced Soon
“This has been a protracted and complex investigation and trial, and I welcome the decision reached by the jury today,” said Senior Investigating Officer DCI Mark Oughton.
Mathias was first arrested on December 5, 2018, bailed, then rearrested in October 2019. He was charged with Hunter’s murder and Section 18 assault in February 2021 but stayed silent during interviews.
The exact events during Hunter’s bath on November 30 remain unknown, but the devastating injuries were inflicted by his father. Mathias was convicted of murder by a 10-2 jury verdict but acquitted of the Section 18 assault charge. He is due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, February 2.
