The body of a dead woman was recovered from her car trunk after a failed attempt by one of her sons to flee from police in El Cajon, California. He is now being held in jail on multiple charges.

Suspect Richard Leyva, 24, is accused of killing his mother, Jamison Webster, 51.

On Tuesday, the suspect’s brother, unnamed by police, called authorities from the town’s Motel 6 after Ms. Webster failed to return from visiting Mr. Leyva there, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

The brother went to the motel and found Ms. Webster dead in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata. The suspect drove off in the car after a physical altercation with his brother.

Police attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect continued driving until he struck two other cars, got out and confronted the officers on the scene.

“Just using a bunch of profanity words at them. He cussed them out,” said Dagoberto Duenas, whose pickup was hit during the chase. The suspect was taken down with a taser and taken into custody.

He is currently in the San Diego County Jail and is not eligible for bail. He is charged with homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and evading law enforcement. Police are investigating the exact circumstances of Ms. Webster’s death.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.