A Jay man charged with the murder of his longtime girlfriend is scheduled to make his first appearance Thursday in Androscoggin Superior Court in Auburn.

State police charged James Sweeney, 56, in the murder of Wendy Douglass, 51, Tuesday after Douglass’ body was found in the home they shared on Jewell Street in downtown Jay.

Sweeney turned himself in around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for Maine Department of Public Safety. The sheriff’s office asked Jay police to perform a welfare check on Douglass, who was found dead in her home.

Police have not provided information on the manner of Douglass’ death, but an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday.