Bond set for Alabama man accused of killing his mom; autopsy details released

Larry Bodily [tight]
Larry Bodily [tight]
photo Larry Bodily

Preliminary results of an autopsy show a Cherokee County, Ala., woman died of multiple gunshot wounds and blunt force head trauma authorities say came at the hands of her son.

The autopsy by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was performed on 68-year-old Karen R. Willmon, who had been reported missing days before her body was found by deputies, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Chief Investigator Josh Summerford said.

Karen R. Willmon's son, 48-year-old Larry W. Bodily, was charged Feb. 19 with murder and third-degree theft of property in the slaying, officials said.

That was the same day his mother's body was found. Willmon had been reported missing a week before in the area of County Road 65. She was said to have been wearing a black Native American-type jacket.

Bodily's theft charge stems from allegations he took a guitar and credit card from his mother, according an account on al.com.

Cherokee County District Judge Wes Mobley on Wednesday set Bodily's bond at $500,000, according to Sheriff Jeff Shaver.

Bodily remains held at the Cherokee County as the department's Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.

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