Clayton J. Hindman was booked Tuesday afternoon into the Venango County Jail following his extradition from south-central Missouri, where he was picked up two days after Polk police found Chilson's remains in Hindman's rental home in Polk.

State police believe Clayton J. Hindman fatally shot a 38-year-old Parker woman in the face with a .44 Magnum pistol.

The finding stems from the investigation into the death of Salina Poppy Chilson, whose badly decomposed body was discovered five weeks ago at Hindman's rental home in Polk, Venango County.

However, Venango County Coroner Christine Rugh confirmed Wednesday that an official cause and manner of death are still pending, Hindman was booked Tuesday afternoon into the Venango County Jail following his extradition from south-central Missouri, where he was picked up two days after Polk police found Chilson's remains.

District Judge Matthew Kirtland of Polk arraigned Hindman on charges of homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4.

The charges followed a state police investigation opened July 25 when Hindman's daughter notified authorities and requested a welfare check on her father, advising she had not heard from him in several weeks.

This is a preview of a full article that will appear in Thursday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read more about the investigation.