Michigan Homicide: Man Kills Mother With 'Edged Weapon', Arrested

A 21-year-old man in Michigan was arrested Sunday (April 26) for murdering his mother, authorities said.

Robert Shepard was charged with first-degree premeditated murder of Cheryl Fox, 56, who was found lying dead on the floor of her home during a welfare check.

Police received a tip-off from a relative of Fox who, after not hearing from her for a while, went to the woman's home and discovered her lying motionless. Cops arrived at the residence in the 10000 Block of N. Clinton Trail in Sunfield Township. Fox was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a statement.

“The victim had suffered traumatic head injuries and an edged weapon was found near her body,” the statement read. Eaton County Sheriff’s Office detectives and the Michigan State Police crime lab were jointly investigating the case.

Police learned that the suspect was living with Fox in the house and he ran off after the crime. Shepard was arrested later that evening after the Grand Ledge Police Department stopped him while he was trying to escape in his vehicle. He was immediately detained and booked into the Eaton County Jail against a $1 million bail bond.

It was not known why the man killed his mother.

“Our hearts go out to Cheryl’s family and friends who are enduring this senseless, horrific loss, and our prayers are with you.” Sheriff Tom Reich said. “I commend the response and quick actions of our Deputies in developing and communicating information on the suspect to our law enforcement partners across the state.”

Shepard was convicted of possessing marijuana in April 2017 and had served one year of probation. He was at it again in January 2018 leading to a year in jail and six months probation, Lansing State Journal reported.

Earlier this month, a 27-year-old man in Flint, Michigan, was charged with second-degree murder and several other felonies after he shot his mother to death and ingested the shell casing in an effort to cover up the crime. The charges that he faced also involved tampering with evidence.