Son facing more charges after allegedly killing mother

NEWARK - A Pataskala area man accused of slashing his mother's throat, killing her, is now facing even more charges.

Russell Littrell, 33, was indicted Thursday on charges of murder, an unclassified felony; domestic violence, a third-degree felony; and theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.

Littrell is believed to have killed his mother, 56-year-old Ruth Ann Hackney, in her River Forest Road home near Pataskala sometime between Sept. 7 and Sept. 21, when her remains were discovered inside the home. The Licking County Coroner's Office has ruled Hackney died from blood loss that was caused by a cut to her neck.

According to court records, Littrell was reportedly seen in an altercation with his mother on Sept. 7 or 8 and Littrell was seen leaving the home in his mother's van.

Son charged with killing mother near Pataskala

The van was located Sept. 23 in Columbus and seized by Licking County Sheriff's Office officials.

Littrell had been convicted of a fourth-degree felony charge of domestic violence in 2013. Court records from that case indicate Littrell had threatened his mother and another woman with a knife inside the home.

He is being detained in the Licking County Justice Center in lieu of a $1.5 million bond. Diane Menashe has been appointed to represent him in this case.

Homicide suspect had history of violence toward family

Littrell is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on the indictment Tuesday in Licking County Common Pleas Court.