Police arrested a man suspected of murdering his mother when sent to investigate a car crash in Tiverton, it has emerged.
Alex McDonald, 27, was detained at the scene of the accident in Old Road, and later arrested on suspicion of killing his mother by stabbing and asphyxiation.
Catherine McDonald, 57, was discovered dead at a house in Hilly Park, Norton Fitzwarren in Somerset, after the accident on Wednesday, which involved a car colliding with a house. It is thought she had been killed the previous day.
McDonald, of Hilly Park, Norton Fitzwarren, was charged with murder and appeared in Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court, Avon and Somerset Police said.
It is not known if he had connections to Tiverton, or why he was in the town. He is due to appear at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday.
"Alex McDonald, of Hilly Park, Norton Fitzwarren, was charged with the murder of his mother, Catherine McDonald, aged 57, on Tuesday September 30," a force spokesman said.
"He appeared at Taunton Deane Magistrates Court, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday."
Speaking after the death, Mrs McDonald's parents described her as a "dear daughter" and said she would be greatly missed.
"News has just been brought to us about the death of our daughter Catherine McDonald," they said.
"It can never be easy to receive such information but to find out that a loved one's life has been ended in such circumstances, makes it all the harder to bear.
"Catherine was a dear daughter; we will miss her greatly and are working with the police to bring a speedy conclusion to their investigation."
