MIDDLETOWN, OH — Police in Middletown say a 51-year-old man has been arrested after his girlfriend was found dead inside a vehicle outside an apartment complex late Thursday afternoon.

Officers were called to the Tytus Suites in the 4000 block of Tytus Avenue around 4:30 p.m. for a welfare check. When they arrived, they found a woman inside a vehicle with fatal injuries.

The Butler County Coroner later identified the victim as 43-year-old Samantha Kelly of Middletown. The coroner said she died from a gunshot wound.

Police say the killing happened inside the couple's apartment

According to complaint documents, Darwin Malcolm is accused of shooting Kelly inside their apartment. Police say the case then shifted from a homicide investigation to allegations that evidence and the body were moved after the killing.

Investigators say Malcolm dragged Kelly’s body outside and placed it in the back of a Chevrolet Tahoe, covering her with a blanket. Police have not said in detail what led them to Malcolm, but the charges filed against him include murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.

The complaint also says the vehicle was used as part of the effort to move Kelly after her death, which helped lead officers to the scene when they responded for the welfare check.

Items were allegedly discarded after the body was moved

Police say Malcolm also gave a neighbor a bag containing a gun wrapped in a towel. The complaint further alleges he threw away a shell casing, a bloody towel and other items in the apartment complex dumpster.

Those allegations are central to the tampering-with-evidence count. In cases like this, investigators often look at discarded items, cleanup efforts and witness statements to reconstruct what happened in the hours after a killing.

Officers remained at the Tytus Suites scene until after 2 a.m. Friday as they continued gathering evidence and speaking with residents in the complex.

Neighbor says Kelly was known as a kind and helpful presence

A woman who lives next door to the couple told WLWT that Malcolm brought her several items he described as “housewarming gifts.” She said the bag also contained a gun wrapped up inside.

The neighbor said the gifts included a red grill, a small deep fryer, a small Christmas tree and Christmas lights. She said she had known Kelly, whom she called “Sammy,” as a friendly neighbor who offered advice and helped her get food when she needed it.

She described Kelly as exceptionally kind and said she deserved justice. Her comments add a personal picture of the victim beyond the police allegations and court filings.

Police investigation continues as detectives ask for more information

Authorities say the case remains under investigation. Police have not announced any additional suspects or described whether more charges could follow.

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact the Middletown Division of Police at 513-425-7741 or 513-425-7701. Tips can also be emailed to terry.ballinger@cityofmiddletown.org.

The arrest and charges mark the latest step in a case that began as a welfare check and quickly grew into a homicide investigation in Middletown.

Court process now moves forward on murder and evidence charges

Malcolm is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse. Those allegations stem from police claims that he killed Kelly, moved her body and attempted to dispose of physical evidence afterward.

Kelly’s death has shaken the apartment complex where officers spent much of Thursday night and early Friday morning. The coroner’s finding that she died from a gunshot wound gives the case a clearer medical basis, while the complaint documents outline the sequence police believe followed the shooting.

As the case proceeds, investigators will likely continue building the timeline from the apartment, the vehicle and the dumpster where items were allegedly thrown away.