Man Allegedly Beat his Girlfriend to Death on Maine Beach

A Massachusetts man is facing charges after allegedly beating his girlfriend to death on a southern Maine beach.

Just before 4:00 Friday afternoon. York Police received multiple 911 calls of a man who appeared to be assaulting a woman behind a large rock on Short Sands beach. When officers arrived, they found the woman deceased and took the man into custody. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Rhonda Pattelena of Bedford, Massachusetts. The male suspect is 33-year-old Jeffrey Buchannan, also of Bedford. Police say the two were domestic partners who shared custody of one minor child.

The State Police Major Crimes Unit aided York Police in the investigation. As 9 PM, Maine State Police Detectives charged Jeffrey Buchannan with murder and took him to the York County Jail. Officials say there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

Investigation into this incident is expected to continue through the weekend.