DeKalb SheriffA college student has confessed to slaying his mother during an argument over his poor grades, authorities in Alabama say.
Tyler Blansit, 22, initially called 911 on Friday and told police that he found his mother dead in the backyard of the family home in Mentone.
But after a brief investigation, the University of Alabama at Birmingham student admitted that he struck his mother in the head while they fought over his academic performance, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
Mentone Police Chief Brad Gregg described the crime scene as "brutal" and that Sherry Blansit was found behind the home. He said a baseball bat that officials believe was the murder weapon was taken for forensics testing along with several other items.
Sherry Ann Blansit, 45, appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma to the head, authorities said. She was transported to Huntsville for an autopsy.
"Usually we'll have calls where a parent has whipped a child because of grades, a child has run away because of bad grades, but we've never had anything like this happen," DeKalb Sheriff Jimmy Harris told WAFF.
"It's just one of those things you can't explain," he added. "We'll never be able to explain what went through his mind, why he snapped and did this."
Tyler Blansit is charged with murder. He is being held at the DeKalb County Detention Center, records show.
