Ohio man arrested for allegedly killing mom who was found 'stuffed' in front floorboard of car

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (TCD) -- Police have arrested a 61-year-old man who jumped off a bridge into a river after allegedly assaulting his 85-year-old mother and leaving her severely injured in a car.

According to the Portsmouth Police Department, on Saturday, June 10, at approximately 1:15 a.m., officers responded to the Ohio River after receiving a call about a man who leapt off Grant Bridge. When officers arrived, they found Michael Smith injured on the riverbank. Smith reportedly told officers that he "wanted to kill himself," and medics transported him to the Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was later transferred to Grant Medical Center.

While at the hospital, Smith reportedly said his mother was inside a silver Cadillac at a Kroger’s grocery store "and that she was in bad shape needing an ambulance."

Police drove to Kroger’s and located Carol Sue Swymn "stuffed in the front floorboard of the Cadillac" and injured from an apparent assault. Medics transported Swymn to Cabell Huntington Hospital via Life Flight, but she died from her injuries the next day.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation processed the car and Swymn’s apartment in New Boston, and investigators determined Smith allegedly "severely assaulted" 85-year-old Swymn, which led to her death.

Police arrested Smith on Wednesday, June 14, at the hospital on a murder charge.

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• Homicide Investigation and Arrest - Portsmouth Police Department