Alabama college student accused of killing mom over bad grades

FORT PAYNE, AL -- An Alabama college student is accused of killing his mother during an argument over grades.

Sheriff Jimmy Harris said in a statement that 22-year-old Tyler Ryan Blansit confessed to killing 45-year-old Sherry Ann Blansit in Mentone - about 75 miles east of Huntsville. Multiple news outlets have reported she was found in her backyard Friday.

Harris says Blansit told investigators he and his mother argued over grades and that he struck the woman in her head. Harris says the woman appears to have died of blunt-force trauma.

A University of Alabama-Birmingham directory says Blansit was studying biology. Blansit is charged with murder and it's unclear if he has an attorney. He is being held without bond.

A call to the court clerk's office wasn't returned.