URGENT UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the woman brutally beaten at Disney World has been identified as the attacker’s mother. Reports confirm that Diane Marie Cameron was assaulted by her son, Matthew Edward Cameron, at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando in October 2024, sparking outrage among parkgoers.
Surveillance footage captured the violent incident near the iconic Casey’s Corner hot dog stand, where Matthew, 22, allegedly struck his mother in a fit of rage, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Department report obtained by the Daily Mail. Witnesses described the attack as chaotic, with horrified children watching as Matthew became physically aggressive during an argument, leading to his mother suffering a bloody nose and facial injuries.
Witness Michael Williams saw the incident unfold and immediately intervened, tackling Matthew to the ground until authorities arrived. “He hit her so hard that she fell to the ground,” Williams recounted. “I’ve never seen anything like this, especially not at Disney.” Video of the confrontation went viral, depicting Matthew being restrained by good Samaritans while his mother and sister, Sarah Cameron, dealt with their injuries.
According to Deputy Dominic Gonzalez, Matthew expressed regret after the incident, admitting to striking his mother out of frustration. “He advised he was not thinking when he punched Diane and simply did it out of frustration,” the deputy noted in his report.
Diane disclosed to police that her son has struggled with severe schizophrenia and has a history of violent behavior during episodes of hallucination. It remains unclear whether he was experiencing such symptoms at the time of the attack.
Despite the severity of the incident, prosecutors dropped the domestic battery charges against Matthew during a January court hearing, though the reasons for this decision are not publicly known.
The incident has raised concerns about safety at Disney World, a place often regarded as “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Witnesses reported Disney staff quickly formed a barrier to protect families from the unfolding violence. One bystander noted that both women involved were visibly upset, with Disney staff working to shield children from the distressing scene.
As the investigation continues, questions linger about the adequacy of mental health support for individuals like Matthew. The family, previously known for their frequent visits to Disney parks, now faces an uncertain future following this harrowing incident.
As the story develops, further updates will clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Stay tuned for more information as authorities continue to investigate this shocking attack.
