Dentist’s Wife Kills Son–Shocking Discovery

Weathered statue of a child angel holding a cross in a cemetery

A 16-year-old girl walked into her family’s Florida home and discovered her mother cradling her lifeless 4-year-old brother, a knife nearby and a haunting note revealing a failed murder-suicide plot.

Story Snapshot

43-year-old Diana Cullom charged with first-degree murder after suffocating son Finley in St. Petersburg home.
Teen sister found the scene at 3:30 p.m. on January 27, 2026, triggering swift police response.
Mother staged self-inflicted stab wounds; medical examiner confirmed suffocation, not stabbing.
No prior police calls to the home; family linked to local dentistry practice amid house sale.

Tragic Discovery in Shore Acres Neighborhood

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on January 27, 2026, a 16-year-old girl returned from school to her home at 1760 Tanglewood Drive NE in St. Petersburg, Florida. She found her mother, Diana Cullom, 43, cradling the body of 4-year-old Finley Cullom on a bed. Diana had non-life-threatening stab wounds on her arms. A knife lay on the floor, and a note, believed penned by Diana, sat nearby. The girl called 911 immediately.

St. Petersburg police arrived quickly. They secured the scene in the Shore Acres residential neighborhood. Paramedics transported Diana to Bayfront Hospital for treatment. Finley showed no signs of life. Police noted the scene appeared contained inside the house, per the daughter’s account. Chief Anthony Holloway later addressed the media, signaling early evidence pointed to the mother.

Police Investigation Unfolds Rapidly

That evening, Chief Holloway briefed reporters. He stated preliminary findings, including the note and scene setup, implicated Diana Cullom. Police interviewed father Damian Cullom, a dentist, after notifying him. No prior dispatches existed to the home, ruling out documented domestic issues. Officers described the emotional toll, especially on parents among their ranks. The community reeled from the shock.

Early on January 28, around 2 a.m., authorities booked Diana into Pinellas County Jail on first-degree murder charges. The medical examiner’s review confirmed Finley died from suffocation, correcting initial stabbing assumptions. Formal charges followed that morning. Police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez emphasized victim services for the teen sister and officers. The investigation continued without assumptions.

Family Background and Sudden Isolation

Diana and Damian Cullom co-owned the Tanglewood Drive property, recently listed for sale on Zillow. Diana assisted at Crescent Lake Family Dentistry, Damian’s practice, where she oversaw renovations for a welcoming atmosphere. The family included four children; Damian was absent during the incident. No mental health history or motives surfaced in reports. Police treated the event as isolated.

Chief Holloway’s statements aligned with facts: the note and staging suggested a filicide-suicide attempt, rare when discovered by a sibling. Common sense demands full probes in such cases, protecting innocent family members while pursuing justice. Conservative values prioritize family stability, making undetected breakdowns like this profoundly disturbing. Facts here support police caution over speculation.

Immediate and Lingering Community Impact

Short-term effects hit hardest: the 16-year-old sister receives counseling, as do affected officers. Damian faces unimaginable grief amid his practice’s altered public image. Shore Acres residents expressed heavy hearts. Long-term, child welfare may scrutinize remaining siblings. Criminal proceedings could extend years, testing Florida’s justice system. Filicide cases like this expose mental health gaps without prior red flags.

Social ripples amplify awareness of hidden family crises. Economic effects remain minor, limited to the dentistry business. No political involvement emerged. Chief Holloway’s measured approach—evidence-driven yet empathetic—models effective leadership. Early reporting consistency across outlets bolsters credibility, though note contents and full motives stay undisclosed as the story develops.