The state attorney’s office on Thursday dropped charges against Kenny Hamner, a Fort Pierce man accused of killing his mother with a machete in December 2016.
In a statement, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office says, “He was released from the St. Lucie County Jail at 8:27 p.m. last night. This continues to be an active an ongoing investigation and as such our agency has no further comment.”
Sheila Hamner was killed in a machete attack Dec. 10 at a home on Traub Avenue in White City.
At the time, deputies said they were searching for a Hispanic man, who was seen carrying a large knife or machete, in connection with the case.
"He provided deputies with a false description of a suspect who, quite frankly, never existed," St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said at a January news conference.
The injuries Kenny said he received during the afternoon machete attack were self-inflicted, according to the sheriff.
Deputies arrested Hamner, 52, during a traffic stop and charged him with first-degree murder.
Stay with NewsChannel 5 for more details on this developing story.