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Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend, Burying Her In Yard

GLENSHAW, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A man has been charged with criminal homicide in the death of his girlfriend, who authorities allege was killed in a drunken fight and then buried in his yard.

Fifty-seven-year-old George Biegenwald of Glenshaw is charged in Allegheny County with homicide, evidence-tampering and abuse of a corpse in the death of 50-year-old Donna See of McKeesport, who had been missing since Aug. 14.

Authorities allege that after her head struck a dresser in his Shaler Township home, he left her to bleed out in a bathtub, stuffed her body in a basement refrigerator and finally buried her in the yard, using bleach to keep animals away.

Neighbors were shocked to learn of the news.

"You see him on a daily basis most of the time," said neighbor Geoff Sachs, "and just never think somebody could do something like that."

"We're shocked," he added. "A loss for words."

When See was declared missing, police learned that she stayed with Biegenwald on weekends. Biegenwald denied knowing her whereabouts. He later confessed to meting her through an online dating service. He said they both drank a lot on Aug. 14 and then got in a fight.

"When he would drink, he was a completely different person," said Sachs. "It's just a shame."

Biegenwald told police she jumped on his back, hitting him on the head with a back massager. When he threw her off, she hit her head on the corner of a bedroom dresser. Biegenwald said he tried to give her CPR and stop the bleeding, but she died after he put her in the shower. He moved the woman to her car, then put her in a basement refrigerator. Biegenwald said it took three days to dig the shallow grave behind his home.

Police retrieved her body from the grave Friday night. While she was buried, Biegenwald was seen partying with another woman. He reportedly got violent with her.

"There was a lady out here screaming, holding her face because she got into an argument with him," said neighbor Dale Hayden.

Court documents don't list an attorney who could respond to the charges; a message left at a number listed for Biegenwald wasn't immediately returned.

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(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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