December 23, 2024
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Woman arrested in husband’s slaying

PORTLAND – A Portland woman was arrested Tuesday on a charge of murdering her 61-year-old husband in what police said was a case of domestic violence.

Laureen Rugen, 50, called police at around 1:30 a.m. to report that her husband, Christian Rugen, was in need of medical attention, police said. He was pronounced dead by emergency responders at the Rugens’ duplex-style condo unit in the Morrill’s Corner neighborhood.

Laureen Rugen was detained at the scene and was arrested hours later at police headquarters, Police Chief Tim Burton said. She did not require medical attention.

Burton would not comment on the cause of death or whether a weapon was found at the scene. He characterized the case as a “a domestic violence-related incident” and noted that there had been reports of domestic violence issues in the Rugen household over the past few years.

The chief said Christian Rugen had been arrested in the 1990s.

Laureen Rugen was being held at the Cumberland County Jail pending an initial court appearance Wednesday.


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