Tulsa Man Arrested for Murder After Allegedly Striking, Killing His Mother with Vehicle

TULSA, Okla. – A 31-year-old Tulsa man has been arrested on a second-degree murder charge following an October incident in which police say he struck his mother with a vehicle, pinning her between two cars and causing injuries that led to her death.

According to the Tulsa Police Department, John Tiffin was arrested November 10 in connection with the death of his mother, 69-year-old Karen Curthoys.

On October 8, 2026, around 8:45 p.m., Tulsa Police responded to a reported collision outside a residence near 38th Street and Mingo Road.

Officers arrived as paramedics were transporting Curthoys to a hospital. She died from her injuries several days later.

Investigators learned that Tiffin had borrowed his mother’s vehicle approximately two weeks earlier with the understanding that he would return it.

When the vehicle was not returned, Curthoys and Tiffin’s brother located it parked in the driveway of a residence near 38th and Mingo.

According to police, Curthoys was standing between the vehicle she arrived in and the vehicle Tiffin had borrowed. Tiffin and his boyfriend were inside the borrowed vehicle when his brother opened a car door to confront them.

During an ensuing altercation, police say Tiffin shifted the vehicle into reverse and accelerated, striking his brother with the open door and pinning his mother between the two vehicles.

Tiffin was initially questioned and released while homicide detectives continued their investigation.

Following further investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Tiffin.

On November 10, around 8:15 p.m., officers with the Tulsa Police Fugitive Warrants Unit, assisted by a K-9 officer, returned to the residence where Tiffin was staying.

Police say officers repeatedly ordered Tiffin to come outside, but he did not respond.

During a search of the home, a police K-9 located Tiffin in a bedroom. Officers reported finding him holding two knives and attempting to injure his own neck.

After receiving several commands, Tiffin dropped the knives and was taken into custody. He was transported to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked into jail.

The investigation was conducted by the Tulsa Police Department’s Homicide Unit.