Missouri Man Accused of Bludgeoning Woman to Death With Garden Tool After Demanding His Inheritance
OZARK, Missouri — A Missouri man is behind bars after prosecutors say he murdered a woman with a garden tool while demanding his inheritance from her trust.
The suspect, Derrick Alling, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He remains in the Christian County Jail without bond after deputies found the woman dead inside her home last week.
Dispute Over Inheritance
According to an arrest warrant, Alling was listed as a beneficiary of the victim’s trust and had been demanding his inheritance in the weeks leading up to her death.
The woman’s husband told investigators that Alling had been making threats and acting aggressively toward her recently.
Disturbing Discovery
Police were asked to conduct a well-being check Thursday after the victim failed to arrive at a scheduled appointment five hours earlier.
When deputies arrived, they encountered Alling outside the residence. He allegedly told them the woman was in the guest house but gave evasive answers when asked if she was alive, at one point responding: “I don’t think so.”
Inside, deputies found the woman’s body covered in blankets, with severe facial injuries. Nearby was a long-handled gardening or scraping tool, believed to be the murder weapon, and later confirmed to be stained with blood.
An autopsy revealed the victim suffered multiple skull fractures consistent with blunt force trauma.
Suspect Considered Flight Risk
Prosecutors noted the “violent and gruesome nature” of the crime in their probable cause statement. Because Alling reportedly has ties outside the country, he was considered a flight risk and ordered held without bail.
He is facing charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, with court proceedings pending.
The shocking case has left the Ozark community stunned, raising questions about inheritance disputes and escalating violence within families. For more breaking crime updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.