Authorities say blows to the head and neck killed a Mason City woman over the weekend after she was allegedly attacked by her hatchet-wielding son. The State Medical Examiner’s Office released its preliminary autopsy results Tuesday into the death of 49-year-old Rita Seely, who was found dead at her Mason City home at around 11 o’clock on Saturday night.
Seeley’s 23-year-old son Jordan Scott Johnson has been charged with first-degree murder in her death. Johnson’s stepfather Philip Seely says he’s not sure what prompted the killing, saying the night of the murder that Johnson appeared to be calm when he visited their home to use their computer.
Philip Seely says he left the two alone to use the bathroom and came out to find Johnson wielding a hatchet next to his wife’s body. Johnson allegedly then ordered Philip Seely to the basement of the home so Johnson could escape.
Johnson turned himself over to Clear Lake police about four hours after the incident. He’s being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $100,000 bond and will have a preliminary court hearing at 8:30 on Friday morning.