ALFRED, Maine — A Massachusetts man charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found Friday afternoon on Short Sands Beach in York was arraigned Tuesday via Zoom in York County Superior Court in Alfred.
Jeffrey Buchannan, 33, of Bedford, Mass., is being held without bail pending a mental health evaluation.
The body of Rhonda Pattelena, 35, also of Bedford, Mass., was found by police on Short Sands Beach just before 4 p.m. Friday, state police said.
An autopsy Saturday by the office of the chief medical examiner determined that she died as the result of a homicide, from blunt force injury to the head. Buchannan, the woman's domestic partner, was detained at the scene and later charged with murder.
A GoFundMe page has been created to fund the funeral and other expenses for Rhonda Pattelena. To donate, click here.