Russellville man charged with killing his mother

A Russellville man has been charged with killing his mother.

James Chris Spencer, 46, of 704 Green Ave., Russellville, was charged with murder Friday afternoon, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

Spencer is accused of killing his mother, 65 year-old Rosalyn R. Spencer, whose body was discovered Thursday night inside the Green Avenue residence.

Hargett said officers responded to a welfare call at the residence after 7 p.m.

“A neighbor called and said she was worried about her because she hadn’t talked with her in three or four days,” Hargett said.

He said the neighbor said they talked every day and no one had talked with her since Sunday.

“Our officers made entry and we found her body on the bedroom floor and there was evidence of a struggle,” Hargett said.

“She had wounds on her body, but we are unsure at this time what actually caused her death.”

He said the body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy and they will know more information once they receive forensic results.

Hargett did say the victim appeared to have been deceased for 2-3 days.

Hargett said James Spencer is currently is being guarded at Helen Keller Hospital where he is being treated for an apparent drug overdose.

“We are still in the process of investigating the case,” Hargett said.

“We will release additional information as it is received.”

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is assisting police with the investigation.