A 23-year-old woman was found dead in an Elm Street apartment last night, the apparent victim of an attack by her boyfriend.
The boyfriend, Taylor Hurst, 24, was in Central District Court this morning to face a murder charge. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
Authorities said the woman may have been dead since Friday.
"Everything indicates it was a couple of days," said police Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst.
Authorities have identified the woman as Katherine MacDougall. Court records indicate she was strangled to death.
She was three months pregnant, police said.
The body of Ms. MacDougall was discovered about 10 last night by police who had been asked by a relative to do a well-being check, according to authorities. Family members had not heard from the woman for a few days.
"Her mother called out of concern," Sgt. Hazelhurst. "When officers got there, the place was in darkness, all locked up."
As some officers were making entry to the apartment, other officers were told to be on the lookout for the type of car in which the woman might be riding.
About the time officers entered the apartment and came across the body, other officers encountered the sought-after car in the area of Washington Square. Mr. Hurst was inside the vehicle. At the time, he had an open container of alcohol, and was taken into custody for a violation of a city ordinance.
Police questioned Mr. Hurst at police headquarters. He was charged with murder.
Ms. MacDougall and Mr. Hurst lived at Apt. 1, 90 Elm St.
Detectives are continuing their investigation this afternoon.
Taylor and Katherine
Taylor in Court
