FREETOWN, Mass. (WPRI) — A Freetown man is currently behind bars after his girlfriend was found brutally murdered at their Chace Road home.

Matthew Lucas, 54, was arraigned Wednesday on a murder charge related to the death of 44-year-old Heidi Chace. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf and he was ordered held without bail.

According to prosecutors, a family member called 911 just before 4:30 a.m. and told police Chace was “not breathing and cold to the touch.” Responding officers saw that she suffered “significant trauma to her face,” prosecutors said, and they also found a bloody hammer.

“The evidence we have now, the hammer was found now at the scene, it appears to be connected with the assault, but an autopsy has to be conducted,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III explained.

“But there was evidence, from what I understand, injuries to her face or head that may be consistent with that. That evidence is being seized and processed,” he added.

Prosecutors allege Lucas was doing drugs that night while hanging out with some friends at the home. Witnesses said they him grabbing Chace earlier in the night.

“I know my dad has issues, but I didn’t think he would kill somebody,” his daughter, Laurie Lucas, said outside court.

When police found Lucas a few hours later, he was hiding in a shed on Burns Lane and covered in blood, according to prosecutors.

“I’m pleased that the defendant was held without bail, and his bail was revoked on his open case,” Quinn said. “This is a brutal killing of the victim, and based on the evidence you heard in court, it appears to be fueled by drugs and alcohol. Just another tragedy, and as you heard, the defendant has a significant criminal history.”

Lucas is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Oct. 20.