A 41-year-old Columbus man has been charged with murder in the death of a woman identified as his former girlfriend.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchants says the body of 38-year-old Linda Snell was found Monday in the bedroom of her apartment just outside Columbus city limits. Merchant says the woman had been beaten to death.

Chief Deputy Greg Wright says Joe Smith was arrested Tuesday at a convenience store in nearby Brooksville by Noxubee County deputies. Wright says Smith had the victim’s car when he was arrested.

Smith was being held in the county jail without bond pending an initial court appearance.