A judge continued a bond of $1 million for a Plain Township man accused of killing his girlfriend.
Sean J. Goe, 26, is charged with murder, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, and domestic violence, according to Canton Municipal Court records.
Watch Goe's first appearance.
Records state that on or about June 30, Goe allegedly struck Raychel Sheridan, 24, in the head and body, which caused her death. He's accused of then using a vehicle to transport her corpse and dispose of it in a "trash receptacle."
Sheridan's mother, Lisa Sheridan, was in the courtroom and fought through tears during the hearing. She was joined by other relatives who didn't comment on the investigation or charges after the proceedings.
Family friend Holly Clapsaddle said she was in "utter shock" over the murder and remembered Raychel Sheridan as a generous soul who loved cats and sunflowers.
"I wanted him to see what he stole from us and that she's never going to be forgotten, and when we say Raychel, we truly say ray of sunshine," Clapsaddle said. "We're gonna miss her because when she came through a room, she lit up the room. Her smile lit up the room."
Canton City Prosecutor Katie Erchick Gilbert would not discuss specific facts of the case, but reiterated what Stark County Sheriff George Maier said last week about the victim being in a cycle of domestic violence.
"Domestic violence is something that we take very seriously and certainly this case will be sent over to the Stark County Prosecutor's Office where they will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," Erchick Gilbert said.
RELATED: Man charged with murder in connection with death of Raychel Sheridan
Sheridan's mother reported her missing on July 2. Her body was found on July 3 by sanitation workers in Canton.
RELATED: Missing woman's body found by Canton sanitation workers
Goe was arrested on July 3 on multiple outstanding warrants.
A status conference hearing was scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Prosecutors said at that point, the case will either be sent over to a Stark County grand jury to consider, or a preliminary hearing will be set, during which testimony could be taken.
