A Missouri man is facing serious charges after authorities say he brutally killed his mother with a gardening tool. Court documents identify the suspect as Derrick Alling, who has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his mother, Carolyn Alling.
Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said the case began with a call for a well-being check around 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Carolyn’s husband, who is Derrick’s stepfather, contacted authorities after being unable to reach his wife for several hours.
When deputies arrived at the family’s home in Ozark, they encountered Derrick Alling and questioned him about his mother’s whereabouts. Sheriff Cole said the deputies immediately sensed something was wrong. “They just had a gut feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and they acted upon that,” Cole explained. “Unfortunately, the gut feeling they had, they found to be true.”
According to investigators, when asked where his mother was, Derrick told deputies she was in a guest house on the property. When they asked if she was OK, he reportedly stayed silent. When pressed further and asked if she was alive, he allegedly admitted that he did not think so.
“With the interaction, that’s when they detained him, and then, they began investigating further and found the victim,” Cole said. The probable cause statement revealed that Carolyn Alling had been struck multiple times in the head and face with a gardening or scraping tool.
Court records also noted that Carolyn’s husband told investigators Derrick had made repeated threats against his mother in recent weeks. The threats were reportedly tied to demands for his inheritance. Investigators learned that Derrick Alling was listed as the beneficiary of his mother’s trust.
Authorities say the killing was premeditated, pointing to the history of threats and the violent manner of the attack. Derrick Alling is currently being held without bond. He has entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court again on October 14.
The shocking case has left the community shaken, as details of the crime continue to emerge. Sheriff Cole emphasized the quick instincts of deputies who followed their suspicions during the initial encounter, ultimately leading to the discovery of the crime. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence as the case moves forward in court.