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China Spring murder suspect found 100 yards away after 10-hour manhunt ensues

Richard Ozment, 36, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

CHINA SPRING, Texas — The 36-year-old China Spring man who led authorities on a 10-hour manhunt over the weekend reportedly committed "one of the most horrific, horrible, brutal, senseless attacks that we have seen in a long time," according to McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara.

In a news conference Monday, McNamara revealed how suspect Richard Ozment attacked 38-year-old Michaela Brooker with a machete and concrete block in a yard in the 1500 block of Old China Spring Road on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Brooker identified as a mother from the area, was "very badly injured" when authorities found her. She was flown to Baylor Scott & White in Temple, but later died from her injuries.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by 6 News, the suspect's mother, Sandra Ozment, found her son, Richard Ozment, standing outside of her home on Old China Spring Road and appeared "very sweaty."

When she attempted to walk past him, Richard Ozment stopped her, but not before she saw "a human foot lying on the ground behind an RV" in the yard, the complaint continues.

Richard Ozment told his mother that Brooker "tried to stab me," the complaint states. At that point, Sandra Ozment retreated back into the home and barricaded herself inside while her husband called 911, to which Richard Ozment pleaded for her not to, the complaint states.

The China Spring Fire Department arrived first and saw Richard Ozment fleeing from the house, the complaint continues. 

McNamara said a manhunt ensued for 10 hours, which included 30- to- 50 agents from the sheriff's office, Waco Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The search included a helicopter, tracking dogs and horses, McNamara added.

Richard Ozment was found around 100 yards away from where the attack took place, hiding inside a stock tank that was underwater, he said.

Deputy Falcon, who found Richard Ozment, described the encounter:

"We were horseback riding along the tank when I was able to see his neck area to the top of his head, he was hiding under a tree limb that was on the water," Falcon said. "I was able to see when he shook his head and the water splashed."

Richard Ozment was then arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

This isn't the first time Richard Ozment was arrested. According to court records, he was arrested for a burglary that happened in the 15000 block of Old China Spring Road, which happened in 2013. Despite being sentenced to 40 years, Richard Ozment paroled out after serving 10 years.

"He never should've gotten out and he did," McNamara said. "Anytime you see somebody paroled out early like this and they commit this kind of crime, it's senseless. It didn't have to happen. And this is so brutal, you can only imagine what this lady went through with this attack."

Stay with 6 News as this story develops.

RELATED: Sheriff: Man murders woman in China Spring

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