DA: 'We're going to do the best we can to get justice' in death of Fayetteville child

“You know I have children, many of us have children, and the allegation at least that a parent could take their own child’s life is very unsettling,” District Attorney Billy West said.

Police responded to the Fairfield Inn and Suites at 4249 Ramsey St. on Saturday morning after receiving a call from a guest on the second floor who said she heard a banging noise coming from the room above her. She told a 911 dispatcher that she thought a woman was being beaten.

“It was just like this repetitive like thud, you know, on the floor. But then, when I muted my TV, that’s when I started hearing like her mumbled cries for help,” the 911 caller said.

As officers headed to the hotel, the caller stayed on the line.

“She’s been yelling for help. It’s been at least a minute since I heard her yell for help,” the caller said in response to being asked if there was reason to believe someone was in danger.

When police arrived at the hotel, the found Zamarie unresponsive in the hotel room he was sharing with his mother.

Authorities are still unsure why the pair were in the hotel.

They said Matthews appeared to have shaved her head right before she was arrested.

West would not comment on the investigation or possible motive Monday, but promised the person responsible would pay for Zamarie’s death.

“We’re going to do the best we can to get justice for this child in this case,” he said.

Records show that police have been called to Matthews' home several time over the past year, including twice for psychiatric help and once for a domestic disturbance just 12 hours before Zamarie was killed.

A police spokesman said during one of the calls to Matthews' home last year, a caller who described himself as Matthews' ex-boyfriend said she was acting "possessed."