LIBERTY — The Liberty Police Department is continuing with its investigation into the death of 45-year-old Linda Ward following the arrest of her son for her murder.

Authorities say Jonathan Caleb Ward, 19, called 911 just after 2 p.m. May 10 and told the dispatcher that he had killed his mother.

When officers arrived at the residence at 120 Golden Springs Drive in Liberty, they say Ward directed them to his mother’s body in the basement.

Linda Ward was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley stated that Ward died from blunt force trauma to the head.

A full autopsy is scheduled for Saturday.

Citing the case as an ongoing investigation, no details have been released by authorities concerning Ward’s possible motivation for the crime.

On May 11, Ward attended a bond hearing where members of his family took the opportunity to speak to the 19-year-old in court.

“I just want to say, I love you, son. I don’t understand this, but we love you,” Jonathan’s father Darren Ward said in the courtroom video. “And we’re … I don’t know, son … I don’t know. We’re lost. We don’t understand this, but we love you.”

“I’ll be praying for you every day of my life for your repentance and for the salvation of your soul. I’ll be praying for that and we love you son,” Chris Williams, Ward’s grandfather, said. “We forgive you.”

Ward was denied bond and he remains in the custody of the Pickens County Detention Center.

Jonathan Caleb Ward
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Jonathan-Caleb-Ward1.jpgJonathan Caleb Ward

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.