A former U.S. Navy service member accused in the mysterious 2014 disappearance and slaying of his wife allegedly used a knife to kill her, prosecutors revealed Wednesday.
Matthew Sullivan, 32, made his first court appearance in San Diego on Valentine's Day.
Sullivan was arrested on Jan. 31 outside his home in Wyoming, Delaware, for the murder of his wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth Sullivan, 31. He was extradited to San Diego on Feb. 9 and booked into San Diego Central Jail on one count of first-degree murder.
Matthew pleaded not guilty at his arraignment; his bail was set at $2 million. His defense attorney, Marcus DeBose, said his client is also facing one allegation of using a knife in the course of the killing.
DeBose said Matthew has no prior criminal record. He was involved in domestic violence incidents during his marriage but Matthew was never arrested or charged with a crime, his attorney said.
Prosecutors said a knife allegedly tied to the crime was discovered in the attic of the home the couple had shared in San Diego's Liberty Station area. The knife was found by investigators after Elizabeth had disappeared and after the family had moved out, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Capt. Mike Hastings said.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said the knife had been hidden in the attic and contained "key evidence" linking Matthew to the murder.
There was also flooding under the carpet in the home the couple shared. The home was searched several times throughout the investigation, Hastings said.