A Salem man was arraigned Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of his girlfriend earlier this month. Paul A. Morey, 50, appeared in Salem District Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was ordered held without bail.

Morey is accused of killing Patricia Donaldson, 42, who was found deceased at their shared residence on Cabot Street in Salem on the evening of September 8. Law enforcement officers conducting a wellness check at 9:13 p.m. discovered Donaldson’s body. According to police reports, she was found with a whip wrapped around her neck, multiple stab wounds to her chest, a pillowcase inside her mouth, and a pillow covering her face.

The welfare check was prompted by concerns raised by Morey’s former wife, who contacted police after learning that Morey had expressed paranoid beliefs to his sister, including fears that police were trying to harm both him and Donaldson. Morey’s sister told investigators that during a phone call, he appeared erratic and frightened. The former wife informed authorities that Morey had a history of mental health issues, describing him as bipolar, autistic, and living with post-traumatic stress disorder. Police noted that Morey was not currently complying with prescribed treatment.

Following the alert, officers located Morey at a hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was subsequently arrested on fugitive of justice charges last week before being brought back to Massachusetts for arraignment.

Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Stanbro stated in court that Morey was responsible for Donaldson’s death. Morey’s defense attorney, Brian A. Kelley, declined to comment on the case.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence related to the incident.