In Kentucky, a man faces serious accusations of murdering his partner and leaving her body unattended in the kitchen for three days, misleading their children by saying, “Mommy was sleeping,” as per court records.

Salko Husejnovic has been charged with murder-domestic violence, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, as reported by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities allege that he subsequently moved the victim’s body into a vehicle, which he then set ablaze.

The deceased woman, named in an arrest document obtained by Fox 56 as Jasmina Aljic, was found in the burning car around 3:25 a.m. on January 19. The sheriff’s office noted “obvious indications of foul play” at the scene, leading to an in-depth investigation into her death.

During a preliminary hearing on January 23, Warren County Sheriff’s Detective Tim Robinson disclosed that the medical examiner found no soot in Aljic’s airway, indicating she was deceased before the fire started, as reported by The Bowling Green Daily News.

Robinson further testified that when investigators arrived at Husejnovic’s residence, they were met by his brother’s girlfriend, Shelly Boyd. Though Boyd initially claimed Husejnovic was not present, authorities soon discovered he was concealed within the house.

Boyd ultimately told detectives, per Robinson, that she witnessed a deadly fight between Husejnovic and Aljic—who Husejnovic described as his wife—while staying at their home.

Robinson testified, “[Boyd]stated she heard Salko beating Jasmina.” 

After Aljic was killed, Robinson said her body was left on the kitchen floor for three days. The couple’s children were told that “Mommy was sleeping,” per the arrest citation.

Robinson said Husejnovic confirmed his role in the violence after he was brought to the station for questioning. 

“[Husejnovic] states that he and Jasmina got into an argument, he states that he struck her and she stopped breathing,” Robinson told the court, per The Bowling Green Daily News. “He states that it was [Boyd’s] idea not to call 911, that it was her idea to leave the body in the kitchen, that it was her idea to buy the gasoline and light the fire.”

However, Boyd told officers she didn’t summon help because she was afraid, and, according to the arrest citation, was directed to purchase the gasoline by Husejnovic.

She’s facing her own charges of tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse after authorities alleged that she purchased the gasoline and drove Aljic’s car with the body inside to the dump site, before both suspects set it ablaze, per the arrest citation.

During a search of the house, investigators discovered clothes hidden in a kitchen cabinet that matched clothing Boyd was seen wearing in surveillance footage at a convenience store just before the fire was set ablaze. Robinson noted they also found three pillows in the washing machine that appeared to be covered in blood.

Aljic had reportedly been living in Missouri until she returned to Kentucky sometime after Christmas. The couple’s three children are now staying with a relative in Missouri, authorities shared. 

A judge ruled at the preliminary hearing there was enough probable cause against Husejnovic to send the case to a grand jury. Boyd waived her right to a preliminary hearing and her case was moved directly to a grand jury.

It’s unclear whether Husejnovic or Boyd—who are both being held at the Warren County Regional Jail—has retained an attorney.