A man from New Jersey has been arrested and charged for the suspected murder of his 32-year-old wife. The woman was reported missing in August, but police have found the remains of a deceased individual in the basement of the couple’s former residence.

Authorities believe that the man may have strangled his wife during a domestic violence altercation. After having her parents identified a tattoo on the body that was found, police are confident that the remains discovered are that of the missing 32-year-old. Despite the tattoo identification, they are still running DNA tests. The results have not been published yet.

The remains were located in a 55-gallon drum filled with cement that was stored in the basement of an apartment building the coupled had lived in with their 1-year-old daughter. According to reports, the couple had an argument, after which she went missing.

The husband told her co-workers that the woman had gone to Canada to spend time with her mother who was supposedly ill. He reported her missing three days after the alleged argument. The husband moved to a different area after his wife disappeared. Police suspected him of playing a role in his wife’s disappearance soon after. The man is being held in jail on $1 million bail.

Recently, a candlelight vigil was held outside of the couple’s Jersey City apartment, where her alleged remains were found. A friend of the 32-year-old is concerned about the couple’s infant child. Should the child’s father end up convicted of the crime, it is not clear what would happen to the young girl.

As this tragic situation shows, domestic violence is a very serious issue. Those who have fallen victim to it are encouraged to seek help. Restraining orders can be issued to help ensure the safety of a domestic violence victim.

Source: CBS New York, “Officials: Husband May Have Strangled Jersey City Woman,” Sept. 25, 2011