SKOWHEGAN, Maine — A Fairfield man was indicted Friday by the Somerset County grand jury on one count of intentional or knowing murder in the death of his wife whose body was discovered in a shallow grave almost a month after she was killed on Aug. 25.
Luc Tieman, who turns 33 on Saturday, was arrested Sept. 21 in connection with the death of Valerie Tieman, 34, of Fairfield.
Luc Tieman is expected to be arraigned Nov. 18 in Somerset County Superior Court.
Valerie Tieman 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 the autopsy report, prepared by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Clare Bryce. An apologetic note, a bottle of perfume and a bag of potato chips were found under the body, which was located about 3:20 p.m. Sept. 20 about 400 yards into the woods on Norridgewock Road in Fairfield.
Valerie Tieman was positively identified by DNA tests that included comparisons to DNA from a hairbrush, toothbrush and relatives. She died of gunshot wounds to the head and neck, according to the autopsy.
She 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.
If convicted of murder, he faces between 25 years and life in prison.