JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — Johnston County investigators had been worried that a missing woman was in danger. On Friday, authorities found her dead and arrested her live-in boyfriend.

Kim Harvey's body was found in a field near Newton Grove in Sampson County. Authorities said the 41-year-old was killed on Christmas Day. She had been missing since Christmas Eve leaving her parents' Johnston County home. Her parents had reported her missing on Dec. 28.

Harvey's vehicle, a red SUV, had been found abandoned along Interstate 40 in Sampson County on Dec. 26. Authorities said the keys were still on the console and Christmas presents were still inside the vehicle.

Jim Johnson has been arrested in connection with the murder. Authorities said Johnson killed Harvey in their Newton Grove residence, placed her in a pickup truck and drove her to a remote area to dump her body.

There is no word about how she died. Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said Harvey and Johnson had a rocky relationship.

"It appears from the investigation that there has been a history of domestic violence in their relationship. In recent months, even recent weeks, co-workers and friends have given us information that she had been abused," he said.

Johnston County authorities are working with Sampson County authorities in the investigation.