Son Charged with Mother’s Murder Over Inheritance Dispute
A man, referred to as Derrick Alling, has been accused of assaulting his mother, Carolyn Alling, with a gardening tool after allegedly demanding her inheritance for several weeks.
According to reports, Christian County deputies responded to a call at Carolyn’s residence in Ozark around 9:30 PM on Thursday. The call was made by her husband, who was worried since Carolyn hadn’t answered his calls throughout the day, as stated by Sheriff Bradcall.
Upon arrival, officers met Derrick, who seemed evasive. They immediately inquired about his mother’s whereabouts.
While speaking with the officers, Derrick’s demeanor raised suspicions; his responses lacked clarity. The sheriff noted that their instincts about something being wrong were, unfortunately, correct.
Derrick appeared quiet when questioned about his mother’s well-being and expressed uncertainty about her life status, stating, “I don’t think so.” Later, he indicated that she was in the guesthouse, where authorities discovered Carolyn’s bloody and battered body. Reports suggest she had suffered multiple skull fractures from being repeatedly struck on the head and face with various gardening tools.
Derrick has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, and he is currently held without bond. Prosecutors described his alleged actions as both “violent and horrifying.”
His stepfather claimed that Derrick was a beneficiary of Carolyn’s trust and had, over the past few weeks, made threats to ensure access to her inheritance. There were reports that Carolyn had recorded Derrick behaving aggressively toward her just weeks before the murder.
Additionally, Derrick’s stepfather expressed concerns that they had to conceal their marriage due to fears of Derrick’s potential violent behavior towards them.
Carolyn, a licensed dental hygienist originally from Missouri, had moved to California with her late husband and daughter. She loved spending time by the water with animals and was known for her interests in housework, art, and outdoor activities.
Derrick has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to return to court on October 14th.
