What began as a missing persons case has now become a murder case, with the victim’s son being charged with the crime.

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver – Investigators with the Cherokee County Major Crimes Unit recovered the body of Karen R. Willmon, age 68 of Centre on Sunday and investigators from Cherokee County and Etowah County have arrested her son, 48 year old Larry Wayne Bodily, in connection with the case. 

Willmon was reported missing early last week, having last been seen in the County Road 65 area.

Last Thursday, Cherokee County Chief Investigator Josh Summerford informed WEIS Radio News that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Aviation Unit, and the Dog Team from the Floyd County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office had joined the search.

The news release issued on Sunday didn’t indicate where Willmon’s body had actually been found – nor was there any information released regarding what led them to charge her son with the crime or a possible motive.

Bodily had been arrested last Tuesday (February 14th), and was booked in at the Cherokee County Detention Center at 10:18pm, on charges of the Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, with Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card charges being added later.  He was released on bond of $13,000 that Friday (February 17th) at around 2:00pm.

Bodily was arrested on Sunday (February 19th), and booked into jail at 8:54pm charged with Murder and Theft of Property 3rd Degree, with no bond having been set.

We’ll have additional information as it becomes available.