A Gainesville man was indicted last week and charged in the death of his live-in girlfriend.

Donnie Jackson Irvin, 53, was charged with malice murder by a grand jury March 31 in the death of Mary Tonya Ward, 42, on March 18. He remains in the Hall County Jail.

Defense attorney Larry Duttweiler declined to comment.

According to the indictment, Ward’s face was seriously disfigured when Irvin allegedly beat her “about the face with a stool and DVD player.”

Hall County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded around 8:30 p.m. March 18 to a Dean Street home regarding a domestic dispute. Authorities said they found Ward dead inside the home.

Irvin was taken into custody from the scene. Ward’s body was transferred to the Medical Examiner’s Office in DeKalb County for an autopsy.

The indictment also alleges that Irvin strangled Ward with his hands.

Irvin faces charges of malice murder, aggravated battery and two counts each of felony murder and aggravated assault.