Police arrested a Tempe man Thursday on accusations he killed his live-in girlfriend, then left her body in their bathroom for six days, officials said.
Initially, police did not suspect foul play after they found Lauren Rasley, 46, Tuesday at the home she shared with Robert Sanborn in the 5600 block of South Wilson Street, said Tempe police officer Jeff Lane.
Then an autopsy determined Rasley was attacked Aug. 14 and died from an internal head wound, Lane said.
"There were no cuts or blood at the scene," Lane said.
Sanborn, 45, was booked into Tempe City Jail, then later released after he complained of medical problems while he was being transported to Maricopa County’s Madison Street Jail in Phoenix. Lane would not say where Sanborn was taken.
Sanborn could face second-degree murder charges, Lane said.
Police discovered the body about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday after family and friends told authorities Rasley had not been at work for days.
When the autopsy from the Maricopa County Forensic Science Center was released Wednesday, police interviewed Sanborn again and determined his story did not match the information they had gathered, Lane said.
At that time, Sanborn confessed he was involved in a fight with the his girlfriend. Authorities were unable to determine whether the fatal blow came from a punch or a fall. Neighbors said Rasley moved into the house about two or three months ago and described her as a private person who worked two jobs.
