HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Police say a 15-year-old Hendersonville boy is facing murder charges after confessing to killing his mother.

According to WTVF-TV (http://bit.ly/Np3WoQ), the suspect's 16-year-old brother woke up to a smoke alarm and fire at the family's home early Saturday morning and found his mother dead. The woman, Melanie Davis, had apparently been beaten to death.

Sheriff Sonny Weatherford said authorities arrested the 15-year-old nearby and he later confessed to killing Davis.

Investigators have not released a motive. But they said the 15-year-old has been charged with criminal homicide, and more charges could be forthcoming. Authorities believe he started the fire, which did not significantly damage the home.

Weatherford said Davis was from Austria and didn't have any family in the United States. Her husband died years earlier.