Ala. Mom on the Run After Alleged Starvation Murder of Teen Son with Down Syndrome Is Found Dead

An Alabama mother who was accused of murdering her 13-year-old son was found dead after weeks on the run.

On June 7, Birmingham police said it obtained an arrest warrant for Serena Starkey, charging her with murder after her son, Aston, who had Down syndrome, died on March 2.

An autopsy determined that Aston died as a result of malnutrition and dehydration, complicated by neglect, the Birmingham Police Department said, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. 

Nearly three weeks after the warrant for her arrest was issued, Starkey was found dead in Texas, Birmingham police said after being notified by local authorities.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage, and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

No foul play is suspected in Starkey’s death.

AL.com previously reported that Starkey and her son frequently moved. Aston was born in Florida, but the pair had been living in Birmingham in the year leading up to his death.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.