Authorities have identified a New Haven, Connecticut, native as the man responsible for a murder-suicide that shocked the Hudson Valley region on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Caleb Smith, 45, was confirmed by police to be the man who jumped to his death from the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge shortly after allegedly fatally stabbing his wife, 37-year-old Kaleigh Griffin, inside their Fair Street apartment in Kingston, New York.
According to the Kingston Police Department, the Town of Ulster Police responded to a report around noon of an individual who had jumped from the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. Emergency personnel later recovered Smith’s body and identified him. Officers then proceeded to a Fair Street residence to notify next of kin.
Tragically, when officers arrived at the apartment, they discovered the lifeless body of Kaleigh Griffin. The City of Kingston Police were quickly brought in, and a joint investigation was launched. Evidence gathered so far indicates that Smith fatally stabbed Griffin before taking his own life by jumping from the bridge.
The couple had relocated to Kingston from Connecticut and shared two young children. Authorities confirmed that the children are safe and are currently in the care of family members.
New York State Police and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office assist in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Kingston Police Department Detective Division at 845-331-8404 or via email.
In a disturbing twist, days before the incident, Caleb Smith posted a cryptic message on Facebook: “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Guilty until proven innocent or innocent until proven guilty?” The post has since drawn attention as a possible warning sign of Smith’s deteriorating mental state.
Smith, described by acquaintances as well-traveled, had previously lived in Chelmsford, Essex, and spent time in various parts of New England before settling in New York with his family.
This tragic event has left both the Kingston and New Haven communities reeling, as loved ones and neighbors struggle to make sense of the devastating loss of life. Mental health professionals urge those facing emotional distress or signs of domestic violence to seek support and contact local services immediately.
