After a week-long investigation by the Evarts Police Department, the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police, officers arrested Billy Joe Middleton, 55, of Jones Creek, on Thursday, and charged him with the murder of Polly Jones, 41, of Evarts.

Evarts Chief Lupe Blas said Jones was found dead in her residence in the Middleton Addition of Evarts by a family member and officer Michael Lunsford on Friday just after 7 p.m.

Blas said a concerned citizen wanted a well-being check done on Jones, because she had not been seen in several days coming or going from her residence and no lights had been on.

Blas said Lunsford and a family member obtained a key to the residence from the landlord and obtained entry inside Jones’ home.

Blas said Lunsford and the family member found Jones inside the house. Blas said Harlan County Coroner Philip Bianchi was contacted.

Bianchi said he ordered an autopsy for Jones, and it was determined she died from a gunshot wound to her head.

Blas said he sought the assistance of the state police and sheriff’s office to help with the investigation, and noted that Bianchi helped a great deal as well.

“We are a small police department and we don’t have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation involving a murder,” Blas said. “I was fortunate having Det. Tim Hensley, Det. Mike Cornett, sheriff Lipfird and the coroner assisting me in this investigation. With that combination of agencies working together, I felt confident we would solve the case.”

Blas said the officers spent this week collecting information, evidence and taking statements. He said during interviews, it was discovered that Jones was Middleton’s girlfriend and they had been dating around four years. Blas said it was also discovered there was a history of domestic violence between the two.

Blas said Middleton had been picked up by police on Monday on two bench warrants. Officers obtained a search warrant for Middleton’s residence on Tuesday located in Jones Creek.

Blas said the officers were able to obtain enough evidence to charge Middleton with the murder of Jones.

Middleton is being held in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.