Colorado man accused of murdering woman asked passersby for help, claiming he found her struggling to breathe

Brian Mervin allegedly attacked the woman, then stopped someone and told the person he had found his “wife” on the ground, according to a police press release

A Denver man suspected of killing a woman reportedly stopped a passerby after attacking the woman and asked him to call 911.

Brian Mervin, 50, reportedly told the person that he found his “wife” on the ground on Monday, August 19, Denver police said. in a press release shared on social mediaHe claimed he noticed her struggling to breathe.

When emergency responders arrived, they found a woman whose identity authorities have not yet confirmed. She suffered multiple injuries, the exact number of which has not been determined. It is unclear whether the woman was indeed Mervin's wife.

The woman was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. Police said investigators determined her injuries were consistent with an assault and began investigating her death as a domestic homicide.

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter to get breaking crime news, ongoing court coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Mervin was arrested and “is being held for investigation of premeditated murder,” the police press release said.

It is not immediately clear whether prosecutors have formally charged Mervin with murder. A spokesperson for the Denver District Attorney's Office told PEOPLE that prosecutors have not yet received the case.

Mervin is being held at a downtown jail on $1 million bail. His next court date is Friday, August 23.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 170 languages.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive more People news!

Read the original article on People.