A DeKalb County man has confessed to the deadly beating of his mother, according to the county sheriff's office.

Tyler Ryan Blansit (DeKalb County Detention Center)

Investigators say Tyler Ryan Blansit, 22, called deputies over to his mother's home in Mentone on Friday. He reportedly told them he found her dead in the backyard. It was determined Sherry Ann Blansit, 45, had died from apparent blunt force trauma to the head. It was ruled a homicide. Her body has been sent to Huntsville for an autopsy.

Blansit was not arrested at the time. Investigators continued questioning him while asking the public to help identify other potential suspects.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris reported on Saturday that Blansit later confessed that he struck his mother in the head. He said they had been arguing about his grades at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Harris said he contacted the district attorney's office after the confession. Blansit is now charged with murder and is in the DeKalb County Detention Center. Bond has not been set at this time.

Mentone Police Chief Brad Gregg described the crime scene as "brutal" and that Sherry Blansit was found behind the home. He said a baseball bat that officials believe was the murder weapon was taken for forensics testing along with several other items.

Officials confirm Blansit is a UAB student. The university directory lists him as a biology student.

Gregg said Blansit was staying with his parents while home after the spring semester's conclusion. Gregg said Blansit told him he planned on going back in a few weeks.

Blansit's father was at work when the murder happened, Gregg said.

The police chief said he can't remember the last murder case in the town. He guessed this is the first one in at least 20 to 30 years.

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office worked this case with the Mentone Police Department, district attorney's office and the Department of Forensics Science from Jacksonville State University.

"I especially want to thank the Mentone Police Department for their assistance on this case throughout the night. I also want to thank the DA office and the investigators from the Department of Forensic Science for coming to the scene and remaining with us until early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends during this tragic time," Harris said in a statement.