The male suspect in custody for Monday's apparent murder in Post Falls told a family member that he had injured his girlfriend, police say.

The suspect is Christopher Wayne Thompson, 44, of Post Falls. He was booked into the Kootenai County Jail for second-degree murder with no bond. 

During his first appearance today, the charge was amended to first-degree murder and his bond was set at $1 million.

The victim was identified by police this afternoon as Deborah Willette, 57, Post Falls.

"His comments to his relatives is what led us to go there."

Barry McHugh, Kootenai County prosecutor, said during the court appearance that it appears there was a struggle between the two based on bruises on the victim's body and that the victim had her throat slit.

Thompson has no previous bookings in the local jail. Drug charges are also pending based on evidence found at the scene, Haug said. 

The incident occurred in the Treaty Rock Apartments next to Perfection Tire in the area of Compton and Seltice Way.

Haug said it is believed Thompson acted alone in the alleged incident and that the two lived together at the apartment.

Haug declined to say whether the suspect confessed the alleged crime to police. He also declined to comment on what the investigation has revealed so farm.

Police responded to the apartments at 4:40 p.m. for a welfare check.

"A caller reported that they were concerned for the welfare of a female at the residence," a police press release states. "Officers responded to the residence and were unable to get a response. Officers forced their way into the residence and found a female deceased on the floor."

Haug said the suspect fled the apartment after the alleged incident and went to a relative's residence about 3 miles away in Post Falls. When police responded, Thompson was arrested without incident about an hour after the victim's body was found.

"He earlier had made comments about wanting police to kill him," Haug said. "The officers showed good restraint without incident. The suspect came out of the house and gave himself up. At first, we thought we'd have more trouble than that."

Haug said neighbors told police there has been a strained relationship between the two involving possible domestic violence. Haug said police last responded to an incident involving the two in June.

Detectives cleared the scene early this morning. The Idaho State Police crime lab is assisting Post Falls Police in the investigation. The apparent murder is the first in Post Falls since there was a murder-suicide in 2010.

An investigation continues. An autopsy was scheduled for today.