A man allegedly beat his mother to death with a gardening tool after demanding his inheritance. Derrick Alling, 39, from Missouri, faces charges including first-degree murder in the US.
Mr Alling’s stepfather called the police to report a concern for the welfare of Carolyn Alling, 65, on September 25. When officers arrived at her home, they met Mr Alling, who US media reported was acting suspiciously.
US news outlet, Fox 8, quoted Sheriff Brad Cole as saying: “They just had a gut feeling something wasn’t quite right and they acted upon that… Unfortunately, the gut feeling they had, they found to be true.”
When asked by police about his mum’s whereabouts, Mr Alling reportedly told officers she was in a guesthouse at the property, but didn’t answer when questioned about her condition.
Mr Alling is reported to have told officers he didn’t think his mum was alive during questioning by police.
Sheriff Cole said that at that point, the officers made the decision to detain the suspect. They went on to find Ms Alling’s body in the guesthouse. Fox 8 reported she was beaten with a tool.
Court papers seen by Fox News reportedly show that before the alleged killing, Mr Alling threatened his mum and demanded she give him his inheritance.
Authorities quoted by the same outlet said: “The victim had been recording the defendant acting aggressively and violently towards her within weeks of her murder”.
Ms Alling, who worked as a dental hygienist, and her husband reportedly kept their marriage secret, allegedly fearing Mr Alling would act “violently” towards them if he found out.
Mr Alling has pleaded not guilty and is due in court in the US on October 14.