A shocking tragedy has rocked the quiet community of Ozark, Missouri, after 39-year-old Derrick Alling was arrested and charged in connection with the brutal death of his mother, 65-year-old Carolyn Alling.
police car POV on top lights on in pursuit; Shutterstock ID 1180144156; Project name: peggy bayard
Authorities say the killing stemmed from a violent dispute over money and inheritance, ending with Carolyn’s life being taken in an unthinkable act of domestic violence.
According to Christian Count court records, Derrick is facing charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Deputies were dispatched to the Alling residence on September 25 around 9:30 p.m., after Carolyn’s husband—Derrick’s stepfather—called for a welfare check when she failed to answer her phone.
When deputies arrived at the family’s property, they were met by Derrick himself. Authorities began questioning him about his mother’s whereabouts, and according to Sheriff Brad Cole, officers immediately felt something was off.
“They just had a gut feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and they acted upon that,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, the gut feeling they had, they found to be true.”
Derrick initially told officers that his mother was in a guest house located on the property but gave evasive answers when pressed further about her condition. When deputies asked if Carolyn was alive, Derrick reportedly responded that he “didn’t think so.”
Deputies immediately detained him, and a search of the guest house revealed Carolyn’s lifeless body. Investigators believe she was beaten to death with a gardening or scraping tool, sustaining injuries consistent with a violent attack.
Court documents paint a disturbing picture of escalating tensions in the Alling household. Carolyn’s husband told police that Derrick had repeatedly threatened his mother and aggressively demanded his inheritance.
Prosecutors further revealed that Carolyn had been documenting her son’s outbursts in the weeks leading up to her death, recording evidence of his violent behavior.
In a chilling detail, investigators learned that Carolyn and her husband had kept their marriage hidden from Derrick out of fear for their safety, believing that the news might provoke violent retaliation.
Carolyn, remembered in her obituary as a loving wife, mother, and dental hygienist, had lived for many years in California with her late husband before returning to Missouri.
Friends and family recall her as a kind-hearted woman who cherished her family and worked hard throughout her career. Her tragic death has left loved ones and the community reeling.
Meanwhile, Derrick has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains behind bars as the legal process moves forward, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 14. As of now, Fox News Digital reports that no attorney has been publicly listed as representing him.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office has yet to release additional details, but officials emphasize that the case remains under investigation.
