A petite, disabled Lemon Township woman died from “homicidal violence” before being partially dismembered with a hacksaw and wrapped in plastic sheeting, Butler County Coroner Richard P. Burkhardt said Tuesday.

        Dr. Burkhardt said he found multiple injuries and “post-mortem attempts at dismemberment” when he conducted an autopsy on the remains of Shawny Spence, 26.

        He was unable to reveal a more specific cause of death, but believes she was killed Friday.

        Mrs. Spence's nude, decomposing body had lain for three days in a bedroom closet of her home in the Rochester Hills Mobile Home Park.

        Her husband, Ronald A. Spence Jr., was being held in the Middletown City Jail on a charge of aggravated murder.

        His bond was set at $500,000; he faces an April 17 preliminary hearing in Middletown Municipal Court.

        On Sunday, two days after his wife was slain, Mr. Spence drank beer, watched television and socialized as though nothing was wrong, neighbors said.

        In a news release, Monroe police said they were called to the mobile home park on a report of a possible shooting Monday afternoon.

        The caller was Mr. Spence's father, Ronald A. Spence Sr., of Eastgate. He flagged down officers and told them he feared his son had killed Mrs. Spence.

        The younger Mr. Spence told officers that he “had accidentally killed his wife” during a beating Friday, the news release says.

        The 5-foot-8, 115-pound woman had a disability involving her hands, officials said. Her family members didn't return a reporter's telephone call seeking more information.

        Her body was nearly decapitated, with the hair on her head shorn. Her left arm had been removed but was found with her body, Dr. Burkhardt said.

        Three large wounds — to the left groin, right groin, and right shoulder — appeared to be attempts at further dismemberment, Dr. Burkhardt said.

        Monroe Police, who respond to calls in Lemon Township, had two other reports on file regarding the Spences: a burglary and a “possible drug overdose” involving Mr. Spence. Both occurred in February.

        The Spences' tan mobile home on Covington Road remained roped off with yellow police caution tape Tuesday afternoon. A floodlight in the front of the trailer remained on.

        Neighbors Herman and Lucy Colwell said they were heartbroken and perplexed.

        “(Ms. Spence) would tell me he was mean to her,” Mrs. Colwell said, but she never witnessed any discord.

        Mr. Colwell said he was disturbed that Mr. Spence didn't say anything Sunday about the killing.

        Mr. Spence spent much of the day at Mr. Colwell's home drinking beer and watching television.

        “He was the same old Ron to me,” Mr. Colwell said.

        Neighbor John Mullins also was with Mr. Spence at the Colwells' on Sunday.

        “He didn't act one bit different. It's an eerie feeling,” Mr. Mullins said. “If we live here 10 more years, that's going to be with us every day.”

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