SAC CITY – Bond has been set at $1 million for an Early man, charged with murdering his mother.

Kirk Levin, 21, made his initial appearance in Sac County Magistrate Court this morning.

Levin, of Early, was originally charged with the kidnapping and assault of a 21-year-old Storm Lake woman. While authorities were investigating last week, they discovered the body of Levin’s mother, Marilyn Schmitt, in her home at 2242 Ira Ave. in Early. An autopsy revealed that she had died of sharp force injuries.

According to Sac County Sheriff Ken McClure, Levin admitted to law enforcement that he was the only one who could have killed Schmitt and that he did so by choking her.

Levin had been released from prison on burglary charges two days before Schmitt’s death.

A scheduled bond review hearing today was cancelled, and his bond on the kidnapping and assault charges remains at $200,000.