A 72-year-old Monticello woman was killed Wednesday night during an apparent domestic quarrel and her boyfriend has been charged with murder, Lawrence County Sheriff Joel Thames said Friday morning.

     Joann Allen, of 13 Old Highway 27 South, was found dead by deputies at her residence around 9 a.m. Thursday after neighbors called 911, Thames said. The woman had gunshot wounds, according to Thames, but the exact cause of death has not been determined.

     Danny D. Nelson, 48, of 273 Thames Nelson Road, Monticello, who was at Allen’s residence when deputies arrived, was taken into custody and transported to jail for questioning, Thames said.

     Thames said the had been a relationship for some time.

     “They’ve had a long domestic history together,” said Thames. “In the last year and a half to two years, it’s been ongoing with numerous arrests for domestic violence and assault.”

     Thames said Nelson had been in and out of the residence and stayed there off and on.

     Nelson was charged Friday with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will be charged as a habitual offender because he already has two felony convictions for DUI, the sheriff said.

     Nelson will be taken today before Lawrence County Justice Court today for his initial hearing.

     Allen’s body was transported to the state Crime Lab for an autopsy Thursday. Thames requested the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and the Mississippi State Crime Lab Unit come in to assist with the investigation.