George Huguely’s mother said she is “devastated and confused” by her son’s alleged role in the death of Yeardley Love, breaking a weeklong silence since the 22-year old woman was found bruised and beaten in her Charlottesville apartment.

“It has been difficult to remain silent during this dark, tumultuous time,” Huguely’s mother, Marta Murphy, said in a written statement on Tuesday. “As a mother, I never expected to be in a situation like this. Though my pain is great, it will never come close to the anguish felt by the Love family.”