Joplin man charged with killing his father

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- A 29-year-old Joplin man has been charged with second-degree murder in his father's beating death.

Police believe Dustin Fanning struck his 78-year-old father, Harold Fanning multiple times with his fists. Harold Fanning was found Monday in his home with blunt trauma to the head.

Police say Dustin Fanning became a suspect after investigators interviewed family members and other sources. Patrol officers spotted him driving about two hours after finding the victim and took him in for questioning.

Jasper County prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder Tuesday.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the slaying.

------

Information from: The Joplin Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com