A Denver man accused of murdering a woman allegedly waved down a passerby after attacking her, urging him to contact 911.
Brian Mervin, 50, reportedly informed the individual that he discovered his “wife” on the ground on Monday, Aug. 19, according to a news release published on social media by Denver police. He claimed he found her trying to breathe.
First responders discovered a woman, whose identity has yet to be determined, suffering from a variety of unspecified injuries. It’s unclear whether the lady was Mervin’s wife.
The woman was pronounced deceased after being transported to the hospital. Police said they discovered injuries consistent with an attack and began investigating her death as a domestic murder.
Mervin was detained and is “being held for investigation of one count of first-degree murder,” according to the police announcement.
It is unclear whether prosecutors have formally charged Mervin with murder. A spokesman for the Denver District Attorney’s Office tells PEOPLE that the case has not yet arrived.
Mervin is being detained in a downtown prison under a $1 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, August 23.
If you are suffering domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 170 languages.