A Clarendon fisherman has been charged with the murder of his wife earlier this year.

He is 28-year-old Rory Palmer of Portland Cottage.

Dead is Jaeda Whitehead of Toronto, Canada, and Sharers Heights, Portland Cottage.

Reports from the Lionel Town police are that at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12, Palmer and his spouse had a dispute that got physical.

It is alleged that Mr. Palmer threw a fan at her, hitting her in the face, after which he slammed her head into a wall several times.

Sometime later, she was found unresponsive.

The police were alerted, and on their arrival, whitehead was seen lying on a bed, unresponsive.

She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Palmer was taken into custody and initially charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The charge was upgraded to murder, following extensive investigation and consultation with personnel from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the crime office.

His court date is being arranged.