In a devastating turn of events that has shaken the tight-knit community of Columbia, Missouri, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has shared the agonizing news of her mother Paula’s near-fatal stabbing. The beloved former University of Missouri track athlete, aged 55, was viciously attacked late Sunday evening in the 400 block of Fifth Street, a quiet residential area just blocks from the family’s longtime home.
Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene: Paula, out for an evening walk—her routine way of unwinding after cheering on her daughter’s Indiana Fever games—was ambushed by an assailant wielding a hunting knife. “She fought like a lioness,” one neighbor recounted, tears streaming down their face. “Screams echoed through the streets until help arrived.” Columbia Police swiftly apprehended suspect Demetrice Tatum, 38, a local with a history of erratic behavior, mere blocks away. Authorities confirmed the attack appeared random, possibly fueled by a drug-fueled delusion, leaving Paula with multiple lacerations to her torso and arms, severe blood loss, and critical internal injuries.
Sophie, fresh off a grueling practice with the Fever, raced back to Missouri upon hearing the news. In a tearful Instagram Live from Boone Hospital Center, the 6-foot-1 guard—known for her fiery on-court tenacity and infectious smile—broke down as she addressed fans. “My rock, my biggest cheerleader… she’s fighting right now, but the doctors say it’s touch and go,” Sophie choked out, clutching a Mizzou Tigers locket her mother gifted her during college. “Mom taught me to never back down, from the driveway hoops to the WNBA spotlight. Please, hold us in your thoughts. Columbia, you’ve always had our backs—this is our darkest hour.”
Paula Cunningham, a seventh-year Mizzou senior in her youth and a devoted mother who raised Sophie and sister Lindsey amid a legacy of Tiger athletics, has long been the family’s unspoken MVP. Her track records still inspire young athletes at local meets, and she’s the one who bandaged Sophie’s childhood scrapes while drilling life lessons: resilience over defeat. Now, as machines beep in the ICU, the Cunningham clan—father Jim, a former Mizzou footballer, and extended relatives—huddles in vigil, their unbreakable bond tested like never before.
The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. Teammates from Sophie’s Fever squad, including stars like Caitlin Clark, flooded social media with #PrayForPaula messages. Mizzou’s women’s basketball program, where Sophie shattered scoring records, lit up Mizzou Arena in gold—Paula’s favorite color. A GoFundMe launched by the family has already surpassed $150,000, earmarked for medical bills and community safety initiatives.
As Sophie steps away from the court indefinitely, her message resonates: “Heartbreak doesn’t define us; love does. Mom, this one’s for you—get back here so we can trash-talk over ice cream.” Columbia holds its breath, united in hope for a miracle.
