A Texas mother made a horrifying discovery after confronting her "very sweaty" son and checking his RV.
According to KWTX, the unnamed mom told McLennan County sheriff's deputies that she walked out of her residence in rural China Spring on Saturday (September 21) and noticed that her son, 36-year-old Richard Tanner Ozment, was standing outside.
She informed officials that she was suspicious of his behavior after noticing he was perspiring heavily, so she went to inspect what he was hiding.
The mom walked around Richard but he stood in her way so she pushed past him, and that was when she made a stomach-curdling discovery in his RV.
Per the outlet, the woman found a badly wounded woman in her son's vehicle. The victim was later identified as 38-year-old Michaela Brooker.
“What have you done?” the panicked mother asked Richard, who, according to the document, responded: “She [the murder victim] tried to stab me.” She ran back into the house, and her son's father called 911.
When China Spring firefighters first arrived on the scene, they noticed a man running away from the home. More officers arrived at the property and searched the area for Richard but could not find him.
Meanwhile, first responders tended to Brooker, who was a mother-of-one. Arrest records show that she was suffering from "extensive injuries, mainly to her head," and was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Center in Temple, Texas, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect was located 10 hours later, hiding in a stock tank just a football field away from the crime scene.
Sheriff Parnell McNamara said at a news conference that Brooker's death arose from a "domestic disturbance" but did not disclose the exact relationship between Richard and the late victim.
“This is one of the most horrific, brutal, and senseless attacks that we have seen in a long time,” McNamara continued. “It never should have happened. 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."
The sheriff was referring to Richard's first arrest at the age of 16 for aggravated sexual assault. The man was apprehended again three years later on a felony terroristic threat charge.
He was once again arrested at age 25 for taking pictures outside China Spring Elementary School and was charged with failing to register as a sex offender.
Richard is now being held at the McLennan County Jail on a $1 million bond for the murder.
Brooker's loved ones have set up a GoFundMe for the late mother. As of the time of writing, $8,255 has been raised of the $20,000 goal.
The description reads: "We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Michaela was tragically taken from us too soon. A victim of a senseless act of violence, she was a cherished mother, daughter, and friend."
"In this incredibly difficult time, we are asking for your support to help cover the unexpected expenses and ensure her family can grieve without worrying about bills, food, gas, and support for her child. Every donation will go directly towards these costs, allowing us to focus on celebrating her life and mourning our loss," they added.
Our thoughts are with Brooker's family and friends at this time.
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