TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - A welfare check at a Tucson home has led to a homicide investigation after police discovered a woman dead, leading to her partner being taken into custody on Wednesday morning.

On Dec. 3 around 9:45 a.m., Operations Division West officers responded to a home in 1600 block of East Prince Road for a welfare check. TPD said coworkers of 74-year-old Sandra Joyce Rae-Hansen reported her missing.

Upon arrival, officers found Rae-Hansen dead inside the home.

Steven Joseph Birch, 66, Rae-Hansen’s partner, was present at the scene and has been charged with first-degree murder and domestic violence. He is currently held at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex.

Detectives confirmed that the couple was in a domestic relationship and lived together at the address where the

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