WALDOBORO, Maine — An arrest has been made in the investigation into the death of a Waldoboro woman last week. Maine State Police Detectives have charged 49-year-old James Clark of Damariscotta with murder following a multi-day investigation.

Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central obtained an arrest warrant for Clark on Friday, August 15, after identifying him as the suspect in the death of Levern Kelley, 53, of Waldoboro. Authorities say Clark had fled the state, prompting a coordinated search with the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC) and Florida law enforcement.

Clark was located and arrested at the Red Carpet Inn in the South Daytona area of Florida. According to the Maine State Police, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office took Clark into custody without incident at approximately 6:40 PM on Friday. He is currently being held in Florida and is awaiting extradition to Maine.

The investigation began on Saturday, August 9, when the Waldoboro Police Department received a 911 call from an individual performing a welfare check at a residence on Genthner Road. Responding officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies discovered the body of a deceased adult female, later identified as Levern Kelley.

The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation, and an autopsy conducted on Sunday, August 10, ruled the death a homicide. The cause of death has not been released. Authorities have stated there is no known danger to the public.

The investigation is ongoing, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.