Scott Hammer, 51, the live-in boyfriend of Danielle Scholten-Linderman, 29, reportedly burned the woman’s farmhouse in Sheridan that they had been renovating, after he allegedly killed her in a struggle in Spencer Township, Wednesday, October 23. Post photo by L. Allen.

Scott Allen Hammer

A man charged with murder for allegedly killing his live-in girlfriend, in Spencer Township, in October was found dead in his cell at the Kent County Correctional Facility Tuesday, December 10.

The Kent County Sheriff Department reported that Scott Allen Hammer, 51, did not come out of his cell for breakfast at 4:48 a.m. When deputies checked on him, they found him dead, in what they said appears to be a suicide. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Hammer was arrested October 23, after allegedly killed Danielle Scholten-Linderman, 29, at a home on Lincoln Lake Avenue, in Spencer Township, where they had been staying with family. The couple was staying there while renovating their home in Sheridan. Police said that sometime early that morning a struggle had taken place between the couple that resulted in Danielle’s death. Hammer then fled the home and went to their farmhouse at 3360 Wise Road, in Sheridan, Montcalm County, and set the house on fire. Montcalm County Sheriff deputies then apprehended Hammer without incident.

Hammer was charged with open murder and his case was pending trial at the time of his death.

Scott Hammer, 51, the live-in boyfriend of Danielle Scholten-Linderman, 29, reportedly burned the woman’s farmhouse in Sheridan that they had been renovating, after he allegedly killed her in a struggle in Spencer Township, Wednesday, October 23. Post photo by L. Allen.

A Sheridan Township man was arrested Wednesday and has been charged with homicide in the death of his girlfriend.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, they were called about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, to the scene of a possible homicide on Lincoln Lake Avenue, in Spencer Township. When they arrived, they found the body of Danielle Scholten-Linderman, 29.

Danielle and her boyfriend, Scott Hammer, 51, had been staying with family at the Lincoln Lake address while their home was being renovated. Sometime early that morning a struggle had taken place between the couple that resulted in Danielle’s death.

Hammer fled the home and went to 3360 Wise Road, in Sheridan Township, Montcalm County, where he and Danielle had been renovating Danielle’s old farmhouse. Hammer reportedly set the farmhouse on fire.

This photo shows two buildings (a barn and mobile home) adjacent to the burned out farmhouse. Hammer is suspected of trying to burn one of these buildings as well. Post photo by L. Allen.

Montcalm County Dispatch received a call on the fire at 6:29 a.m. Sheridan Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames. While they fought the fire, Montcalm County Sheriff Deputies were alerted to the homicide investigation by the Kent County Sheriff Department. It is believed that Hammer attempted to burn a second structure on the property as well but was not successful. The Michigan State Police Fire Marshal’s office is assisting the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of the arson.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended Hammer in Sheridan without incident. He was arraigned in Kent County’s 63rd District Court, on October 24, on an open murder charge. He was denied bond, and in custody at the Kent County jail.A preliminary hearing is set for November 6.

Kent County Undesheriff Jon Hess said that the cause of Danielle’s death has not yet been released, pending the results of an autopsy.