A Mississippi man was charged this week with beating his mother to death and setting fire to her home to hide the crime.

William Walden faces charges of capital murder and arson in the death of his mother, Flora Walden, the Vicksburg News reported.

The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office said Walden’s two-bedroom mobile home in Itawamba County was found burned on July 14. The fire had not been reported to 911. Investigators interviewed Walden, who also lived at the home, twice and named him a suspect in the arson.

On July 15, Walden reportedly confessed to killing his mother and setting the fire.

According to WAPT, Walden pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his cousin in an argument in 2012 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Mississippi Department of Corrections said he was released early on July 7, just a week before the murder.

His bond was set at $250,000, but the DOC put a hold on him because of the prior conviction.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: William Walden/police handout]