(CNN) A nationwide manhunt is underway for a disbarred Georgia attorney accused of killing his mother.

Richard Merritt had been sentenced to 15 years in prison and 15 years on probation after being convicted of stealing money from his clients and elder abuse. The court found him guilty on more than 30 counts of theft, forgery and elder exploitation.

He was given until 5 p.m. on February 1 to get his affairs in order before turning himself in.

Instead, the US Marshal Service says he cut off his ankle monitor and fled.

The day after Merritt was supposed to surrender, his mother, Shirley Merritt, was found violently killed. Her car was missing, while Merritt's vehicle was found at the scene, the US Marshal Service said in a statement

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