The Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office has dropped a second-degree murder charge against the Metairie man accused of fatally beating his girlfriend , according to court records.

Chad Ortolano, 35, had been jailed since June 28 when Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives booked him in connection with the death of 53-year-old Kathleen Cook.

Investigators had alleged that Cook's extensive injuries — brain bleeds and fractured ribs — didn't match Ortolano's explanation of a fall.

But the district attorney's office said they refused the charge on Monday because of "insufficient evidence."

Ortolano could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Investigators arrested Ortolano on March 6 and booked him with second-degree battery. The district attorney's office refused the batt

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