CLARENDON, Jamaica – A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of his wife in Portland Cottage, Clarendon in May.

Charged is Rory Palmer, a fisherman of Portland Cottage in the parish.

Dead is 28-year-old Jaeda Whitehead of Mars, Toronto, Canada and Sharers Heights, Portland Cottage, Clarendon.

Reports from the Lionel Town police are that at about 4:00 pm on May 12, Palmer and his spouse had a dispute that got physical.

It is reported that Palmer threw a fan at her, hitting her in the face after which he slammed her head into a wall several times.

The police were alerted, and on their arrival, Whitehead was seen lying in a bed unresponsive.

She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Palmer was taken into custody and initially charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Following extensive investigation and consultation with personnel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Crime Office, his charge was upgraded to murder, the police said.

Whitehead, who was a school board employee in Toronto, was reportedly visiting Palmer to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

READ: Family seeks answers after Canadian woman dies while visiting husband in Jamaica