A Missouri man is facing murder charges after initially claiming he did not know the woman found deceased in his neighbor’s yard.

Ephron Long, 54, was taken into custody on Friday, charged with the murder of 40-year-old Lindsey Smith. Smith’s body was discovered on January 19 in the backyard of a residence in St. Louis, Missouri. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Long resided in a basement apartment adjacent to where the body was found. A witness reported hearing an argument between a man and a woman at Long’s residence days before Smith’s body was discovered, followed by the sound of a gunshot.

Smith was found “partially frozen,” with her head in a pool of blood, and police noted signs of decomposition before she was subjected to the freezing temperatures.

Investigators traced Smith’s identity through her phone, uncovering a series of communications between her and Long dated January 3. These texts included a message from Smith expressing that she no longer felt safe at Long’s residence. On the same day, Long reportedly called Smith, after which no further communication between them was recorded.

Upon obtaining a search warrant for Long’s apartment, authorities discovered blood spatter near the entrance and additional blood on the railing by the staircase leading to his door.

Police started following Long and found him on Friday. When detectives tried to pull Long over, he allegedly fled and ran a red light as he attempted to evade arrest. The detectives deployed spike strips and were able to detain Long and take him into custody.

When Long was read his rights and interviewed by police, he said he was the only one living in his apartment and confirmed that his phone number was the one found on Smith’s phone. Long denied ever seeing Smith “in his life.” He was presented with evidence to the contrary, and police said he “changed his story.”

Long was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and resisting arrest. He is currently in custody at the St. Louis City Justice Center where he is being held without bond. His next court date has not been scheduled.