Slain Jogger's Husband Indicted for Murder

Oct. 27, 2008 —— -- Brad Cooper was arrested Monday and held on first-degree murder charges in connection with the strangulation death of his wife, Nancy Cooper, who went for a jog near her North Carolina home and never returned , ABCNews.com has learned.

Cooper was not given an opportunity to turn himself in to authorities, his lawyers told ABC News affiliate WTVD. A grand jury handed down the indictment earlier in the day, authorities said.

No further comment was issued by Cooper's attorneys, who told WTVD that they may release a statement later this evening.

Cooper was being held without bond at the Wake County Public Safety Building, according to The News & Observer.

Cooper's 34-year-old wife was found strangled in an undeveloped subdivision July 14.

Since then, Cary, N.C., police had not named a person of interest or suspect in the killings, but had searched the couple's home and Cooper's office – questioning Cooper at least five times at his home.

Today's arrest comes on the heels of a heated custody battle over the Cooper's two young daughters, 2-year-old Katie and 4-year-old Bella. A judge decided last week to award temporary custody to the family of Nancy Cooper, whom the girls had been living with in Canada since their mother went missing July 12.

Police investigating the murder said last week that parts of the sworn testimony made by her husband earlier this month were "inconsistent" with the statements he made to authorities immediately after her death.