FORT SMITH, Ark. (KFSM) - The son of a northwest Arkansas woman is suspected of killing his mother.

Tommy Bowden, 48, is the son of Julie Richardson of Hagerville. Richardson was found dead in her home Monday afternoon.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office expects Bowden to be charged with first degree murder.

Richardson was found dead by a neighbor who went to check on her when the woman couldn't be reached by phone. The woman who found Richardson tells 5NEWS a shovel without a handle was found next to her friend's body.

However, the sheriff says his department cannot discuss the woman's manner of death.

Bowden is being held in Yell County on unrelated charges.