Authorities say a South Dakota man murdered and decapitated his own mother.
Bowen Fladland, 36, faces first- and second-degree murder charges in the death of Marlene Fladland, according to a press release from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
A probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime stated that cops in Clark, a town of about 1,000 people in eastern South Dakota, responded Tuesday to a home on North Cloud Street and discovered the victim dead in the front yard.
A relative told police that they spoke with Marlene Fladland around 10 a.m. Saturday. She told a relative that her son was assaulting her. According to cops, the mother and son live together at home. On Tuesday, detectives tracked Bowen Fladland to Watertown, which is about 30 miles east of his home. He agreed to the interview.
“During a post-Miranda interview, Fladland admitted to assaulting his mother, kneeling on her neck until she was apparently deceased and then used a tool to remove her head,” according to the declaration.
The affidavit did not specify a motive for the slaying, but court records indicate Bowen Fladland had a history of assaulting his mother. Local CBS affiliate KELO obtained arrest reports from two years ago, which showed charges of assault on consecutive days.
He allegedly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her onto the bed, causing her to become lightheaded. The next day, he grabbed her throat and shoved her against a refrigerator, according to KELO.
When Marlene Fladland escaped his grasp, he held up two butter knives and threatened to kill her, according to records. He was found guilty of aggravated battery and sentenced to ten years in prison with a suspension. He allegedly violated his probation about two months ago, according to KELO.
Bowen Fladland is currently detained at the Codington County Jail in Watertown on a $500,000 cash bond.
