Ramona

The son of a Ramona woman found dead alongside a rural road in Mississippi was captured and brought back to San Diego to be charged with her murder, authorities said.

Lorne Wesley Schultz, 47, was being held without bail in County Jail downtown on parole violations Friday, and is expected to be charged with the murder of Mayme Flagg Schultz, 72, whose body was found near Oxford, Miss., said Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Harry A. Smith.

Mayme was reported missing by another son, Phillip, on Jan. 2 after she failed to show up for an appointment, Smith said. A nationwide search ended Jan. 15 when her body was found. She had apparently died from a blow to the head.

Police were unable to find Lorne since the disappearance, and made him their prime suspect in the murder.

Investigators believe Lorne drove across the country in Mayme’s 1989 Chrysler LeBaron with her dead body in the back, Smith said. He sold items taken from her home at in the 15200 Moonglow Drive to pawn shops along the way and used her credit cards.

Lorne was arrested by Mississippi State Troopers during a routine traffic stop, Smith said. Lorne had removed the license plates from the car, Smith said, and, when the troopers tried to question him, he attacked them and was taken into custody for assaulting a peace officer and for parole violations. He has been in Hancock County jail since Jan. 29.

A team of investigators from San Diego traveled to Mississippi Thursday and brought Lorne back, Smith said. Three remained to search the vehicle and meet with other agencies who worked on the case. The case will be submitted to the district attorney’s office after the investigators return in a few days.