CHIPLEY, FL – Authorities in Washington County are investigating a homicide after a local man was found crying at the scene of his mother’s death and provided a bizarre explanation during questioning, according to officials.

Blake Hornsby, 37, faces a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of his mother, 64-year-old Mary Jane Ward, who was residing in Quitman, Georgia. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hornsby remains held without bond at the county jail following his arrest on Wednesday.

Deputies were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. to a residence on Still Pond Road after receiving a call indicating residents urgently needed assistance. As deputies arrived, they reportedly heard the sound of someone weeping inside the house. When they knocked, a visibly upset man, later identified as Hornsby, answered the door. Authorities noted he was crying and had active bleeding from multiple open wounds, leaving drops of blood on the floor.

Inside the home, law enforcement discovered an unconscious woman not breathing, later identified as Ward. Deputies observed severe bruising and noticeable marks on her neck, indicating she had suffered significant trauma. Despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene, with signs suggesting her injuries were consistent with strangulation.

Investigators turned their attention to Hornsby, noting his hands were smeared with blood, and his knuckles appeared cut and swollen. The suspect also had visible scratch marks on his body, injuries the sheriff’s office described as resembling those sustained during a struggle.

According to sheriff’s officials, Hornsby initially claimed that both he and Ward had been attacked earlier in the day, but quickly became too distraught to clarify any further details. The affidavit described his emotional state as so extreme that he was unable to effectively communicate with deputies.

Detectives canvassed the neighborhood and spoke with relatives to establish a timeline of events. Interviews indicated no one else had been inside the home during the period surrounding Ward’s death except Hornsby and his mother. Forensic investigators also documented deep abrasions on Hornsby’s fingers, which appeared consistent with injuries caused by fingernails during an altercation.

After deputies formally advised Hornsby of his Miranda rights, they attempted again to obtain his account of the incident. According to investigators, Hornsby vaguely mentioned that he is typically “protective” but was unable to be so “today.” He added that “the robots made him do it,” but did not elaborate further on this statement.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement has ordered a mental competency evaluation for Hornsby to determine his fitness to proceed with legal proceedings. His arraignment is currently scheduled for September 8.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the events leading up to the homicide, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information relating to the case to come forward.

Ward’s death marks a rare homicide in the Still Pond Road area, leaving neighbors and family members searching for answers as investigators work to piece together the circumstances of her killing.