FAIRFIELD, Maine — The local woman who died recently of gunshot wounds to the head and neck was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a body bag before being buried in a shallow grave on her in-laws’ wooded property, according to an autopsy report.
An apologetic note, a bottle of perfume and a bag of potato chips were found under the body of Valerie Tieman, 34, of Fairfield, according to the report, prepared by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Clare Bryce.
Tieman’s husband, Luc Tieman, 32, of Fairfield, has been charged with murder in connection with her death. He is being held without bail at the Somerset County Jail.
The autopsy report, which included toxicology and DNA testing results, showed that Valerie Tieman had buprenorphine and tramadol along with acetaminophen and caffeine in her system.
Buprenorphine is a Schedule III synthetic opioid used for pain treatment and opioid dependency, the toxicology report said. Tramadol also is a synthetic opioid used for pain management.
The report did not say why Valerie Tieman was taking painkillers.
It also did not include when she was killed or the caliber of the bullets that pierced her skull and neck.
Her body was found about 3:20 p.m. Sept. 20 about 400 yards into the woods on Norridgewock Road in Fairfield, the autopsy report said. She was positively identified by DNA tests that included comparisons to DNA from a hairbrush, toothbrush and relatives.
Valerie Tieman was reported missing to Fairfield police on Sept. 9 by her parents, who live in South Carolina. They were concerned because of the length of time that had passed since they last heard from her, according to court documents. Their last contact with their daughter was on Aug. 18 through a Facebook message.
Maine State Police joined the investigation into Valerie Tieman’s disappearance on Sept. 13.
Luc Tieman initially told police that he had gone into Wal-Mart on Aug. 30 and that his wife was missing from the truck when he returned a short time later.
His story changed several times over the course of the investigation and again once his wife’s body was discovered.
Detectives said Tieman initially denied any knowledge of the body but later acknowledged that the body was his wife. Tieman told police that she had a drug addiction and that he brought home heroin and loaded a needle for her.
“Luc said Valerie took the needle and injected herself with the heroin. Luc said Valerie smiled at him and then stopped breathing,” the court document said. Tieman then told detectives that he later took her outside, dug a trench and buried her.
Tieman is expected to be indicted by the Somerset County grand jury on Oct. 27. He is due in court again on Nov. 18.
If convicted of murder, he faces between 25 years and life in prison.