Body of Mexico man suspected of murdering mother found in shed

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Police in Mexico, Missouri, say a body found Sunday afternoon is likely that of a man wanted for arson and killing his mother.

The Mexico Public Safety Department said in a news release that a caller reported finding a body in a shed in the 1700 block of Fairground Road on Sunday. The body was identified as Brandon Spears based on clothing, tattoos and build, according to the release.

Spears, 43, was wanted for fires, including one that killed his mother, Ruth Stuart, 60, on Dec. 23. Spears was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and armed criminal action. Spears lived with Stuart.

According to a probable cause statement, the medical examiner believes Stuart suffered trauma to her head. The medical examiner thinks Stuart was still alive when the fire started.

Investigators have also linked Spears to a second fire that happened more than an hour later. Police said the fire happened in a storage room in a warehouse in the 1000 block of East Elmwood Drive.

Police named Spears as a suspect based on home security video that showed Spears in the area of the second fire, according to the release. Spears could be seen on the video trying to get into unlocked cars on a night with dangerous cold, police say.

The Boone County medical examiner will conduct an autopsy.

Police say they found no visible traumatic injuries on the body and no apparent link between Spears and the shed owners.