Maine woman found dead in trunk, boyfriend flee and later arrested in Virginia on suspicion of murder

A 58-year-old woman was found dead in a trunk in Maine and police say her boyfriend fled the state before being arrested and charged in connection to her murder.

On Jan. 10, officers received a call regarding a fight that took place at a home in Lubec, Maine, according to Maine State Police.

At the scene, police said they found evidence outside a house making them believe something suspicious happened at the residence.

An investigation began, as detectives said they were looking for the homeowner, 58-year-old Eva Cox, and her live-in boyfriend, 65-year-old Paul DeForest.

A larger search took place around Cox’s home on Jan. 11, which helped officials find the body of a woman in the trunk of a car. While an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official identity, police believe the victim is Cox.

The investigation also allowed officials to determine DeForest was a suspect in this case, and an arrest warrant was issued.

DeForest was found at a residence in Virginia. Officers went to the home and negotiated with DeForest on the phone to get him out of the house, police said. He eventually left and was taken into custody.

He is now being held on a fugitive from a justice warrant, authorities said, until he can return to Maine.

Investigators have not said why they believe DeForest killed Cox or a motive for the alleged homicide.