Man is accused of fatally beating his girlfriend with a hammer, the Montgomery County prosecutor says

A Montgomery County man has been arrested in connection with the death of his girlfriend, who was allegedly hit in the head with a hammer in the apartment they shared, the district attorney said.

William Carey, 46, is charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and criminal possession, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Pennsylvania State Police Capt. Gerard McShea announced. He is accused of killing 34-year-old Jessica Zipkin at her home in Perkiomen Township on Saturday, authorities say.

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At 1:25 a.m. Saturday, State Police responded to a residence on Gravel Pike after a 911 caller reportedly said a woman was “possibly” dead inside the residence. According to prosecutors, officers who arrived at the scene found Zipkin with a fatal wound to the back of her head and a hammer was recovered near her body.

An autopsy determined that Zipkin died of blunt force trauma to the head and that the manner of death was a homicide, authorities say.

Carey was arrested a short time later, 6ABC reported. Authorities said Carey and Zipkin were in a relationship but did not provide further details about what may have led to Zipkin's death.

Carey was lodged at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, authorities said. Bail is not available for first-degree murder charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th.