A Missouri man faces murder charges after initially claiming he did not know the woman found dead in his neighbor’s yard. Ephron Long, 54, was apprehended last Friday in connection with the murder of 40-year-old Lindsey Smith. Smith’s body was discovered in a backyard in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 19, according to authorities.

Long resided in a basement apartment adjacent to where Smith was found. A witness reported hearing a heated argument between a man and a woman at Long’s residence days before Smith’s body was discovered. The argument allegedly culminated in a single gunshot, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime.

Smith’s body was found “partially frozen” with her head in a pool of blood, indicating she had begun decomposing before being subjected to the freezing temperatures. Police traced Smith’s identity through her phone, uncovering communications between her and Long.

Evidence from Smith’s phone revealed that on January 3, she and Long exchanged multiple text messages. Among them, Smith expressed feeling unsafe at Long’s home. The two had no further communication after a phone call that same day, police reported.

During a search of Long’s apartment, police discovered blood spatter near the entrance and more blood on the railing of the steps leading to his door. This evidence further implicated Long in Smith’s death.

Authorities tracked Long down and attempted to stop his vehicle on Friday. Long allegedly tried to evade arrest by running a red light, but police managed to use spike strips to bring his vehicle to a halt, leading to his capture and arrest.

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.