HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Marshall County coroner says an autistic 8-year-old boy whose body was pulled from the Tennessee River over the weekend was killed in a murder-suicide.
Coroner Craig Whisenant told WAFF-TV Randle Barrow's death was ruled a homicide by drowning and that his mother, 42-year-old Delicia Barrow, died of smoke inhalation in a house fire.
Authorities were doing a welfare check on the boy Saturday after he missed school and said they saw smoke coming from the family's home. Emergency responders found Barrow's mother inside and said the boy was pulled from the river hours later.
Sheriff's officials have said authorities found a note inside the family's house explaining where they'd find the child.