A Texas mother reportedly made a shocking discovery after noticing her “very sweaty” son outside his RV, acting unusual.
According to KWTX, the unnamed mother left her China Springs home Saturday morning and noticed her son, Richard Ranner Ozment, 36, standing outside, sweating heavily.
According to the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office affidavit, the mother became suspicious and tried to get around Ozment.
The mother told police that she forced her way past her son and spotted a human foot near an RV. When she moved behind the RV, she discovered 38-year-old Michaela Brooker, who had been gravely injured by a machete-like weapon.
Ozment’s father immediately contacted 911 and China Spring firefighters arrived first and spotted a man fleeing the scene.
First responders provided aid to Brooker for “severe injuries, primarily to her head,” the affidavit stated.
She was airlifted to the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, where she later died from her injuries.
Police arrived at the scene and initially couldn’t find Ozment, but located him around 10 hours later, hiding in a stock tank.
“This is one of the most horrific, horrible, brutal, senseless attacks that we have seen in a long time,” Sheriff Parnell McNamara said at the press conference. “It never should have happened.”
People Magazine reports that Ozment had been released from prison on parole a few months before the incident, after a conviction for a string of burglaries. He was given a 40-year sentence and “served about 10 years” before his parole release.
“This guy who we believe committed this horrible and brutal murder was sentenced to 40 years. He served approximately 10 years, was paroled out and then committed this horrible crime. He never should have gotten out, but he did,” Sheriff McNamara
Brooker’s murder happened during a “domestic disturbance,” McNamara said, but didn’t divulge how the pair knew each other.
Ozment is facing a first-degree murder charge and remains behind bars without bail at the McLennan County Jail.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help with expenses for Brooker’s child.
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