Maine man, 20, charged with murdering woman at Timberland US headquarters

A 20-year-old Maine man is under arrest in New Hampshire on murder charges for allegedly killing a 46-year-old woman while she was at work at the Stratham headquarters of the Timberland shoe company, according to officials and the company.

The name of the 46-year-old woman was not released by authorities Monday pending notification of next of kin and the results of an autopsy expected Monday. In court papers, she is identified only as C.H.

Robert Pavao, a security guard at Timberland, waived his Monday arraignment at Rockingham Superior Court in Brentwood on second-degree murder charges, according to authorities, and agreed to be held.

Attempts to reach Pavao’s public defender were not successful Monday afternoon.

Timberland, in a statement, described the woman “as a beloved member of our Timberland community.” The company provided no further details about the woman.

"It is with extreme sadness that we share news of the loss of a beloved member of the Timberland community. The incident took place on Sunday, February 9th at our Stratham, New Hampshire headquarters,'' the company said in a statement released by spokeswoman Leslie Grundy. “We are cooperating fully with authorities. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones as they process this senseless tragedy.”

A motive for the murder was not disclosed.

Pavao, 20, is a resident of Old Pine Hill Road in Berwick, Maine, authorities said. He is described in court records as being six feet, two inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.

Law enforcement responded to 200 Domain Drive in Stratham around 5:20 p.m. Sunday. The address is the site of Timberland’s US headquarters.

According to court records, Pavao is a high school graduate who has been working for the past four months as a security guard at Timberland and a second company, Lindt. He was employed by Securitas, the documents show.

For the past six months, he has lived with his parents, according to court records.

He has no history of mental health or substance abuse issues, the records show.

Pavao had no connection to the woman he is charged with murdering.

Danny McDonald of Globe staff contributed to this report.