PITTSBORO, N.C. — Chatham County detectives have arrested a Pittsboro man in connection with the death of his girlfriend.

Peter Matson, 43, was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with the death of 48-year-old Karen Crawford. Authorities said that evidence indicates that Matson strangled Crawford at their home.

Chatham County authorities said they responded to a call at the residence on Persimmon Hill, near Pittsboro, early Monday morning. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Crawford dead in her bed. Preliminary autopsy results later showed the cause of Crawford's death as strangulation.

At the time, Matson told detectives that he last saw Crawford just before midnight on NewYear's Eve. He also told investigators that before they arrived, he had taken a bottle of sleeping pills. He was Transported to UNC Hospital for medical care and was later transported to John Umstead Hospital in Butner for evaluation.

Matson was jailed with no bond after his arrest. His preliminary appearance in Chatham County District Court is set for Jan. 6.