MOUNT PLEASANT — A death in July initially viewed as a suicide is now classified as a homicide, police announced Aug. 8.

Joseph Christopher Hartnett, 46, died in his Calais Drive home occurred on July 19. The department, in its daily log of calls provided to news outlets by the Mount Pleasant Police Department, said Hartnett's death was believed to be a suicide last month.

According to the Aug. 8 news release, in response to a 911 call officers arrived at Hartnett's home about 8:05 a.m. The victim was found in his bed with a gunshot wound to the head. He was later pronounced dead at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Police arrested Patience Spinler, 54, on the morning of Aug. 8. She is charged with murder and violation of probation.

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