'She was caring, loving': Waukesha man charged in 2022 murder of girlfriend

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Waukesha man has been charged with the murder of a woman found in a wooded area in Delafield last year. Construction workers discovered the woman's lifeless body near Golf Road. 

The family of the victim identify her as Stephanie Pavlons, mother of one.

"She was caring, loving, had a sense of humor," said Georgiann Pavlons, mother of the victim.

Pavlons' family said they are still reeling from her loss.

She was found dead on Sept. 9, 2022. Construction workers discovered her body in a wooded area neat Orthopedic Associates of Wisconsin around 10:54 a.m.

Pavlons' mother said she knew something was wrong after her daughter did not respond to a text.

"When I sent her a text that she had a package here and she didn't respond. I thought, 'oh,' because she always responded," said Georgiann Pavlons.

Georgiann said at the time, Pavlons lived with her on-and-off-again boyfriend, Matthew Pahl. He is now facing homicide charges and charges for hiding a corpse in Pavlons' death.

"I never thought it would come to murder," said Georgiann Pavlons.

According to a criminal complaint, Pavlons was last seen alive at a Kwik Trip just three miles away from where her body was found.

Investigators said on Aug. 23, Kwik Trip surveillance cameras showed Pavlons get into Pahl's truck around 8:50 a.m. That same morning, both Pahl and Pavlons' cellphones pinged at the same place near Orthopedic Associates Wisconsin, where Pahl had an appointment.

The criminal complaint said Pahl arrived at the doctor's office at 9:15 a.m. but didn't check into his appointment until 9:34 a.m.

An autopsy determined Pavlons died on Aug. 23 of 2022. Her family said they were told the cause of death was undetermined.

Three days after Pavlons' death, Pahl's web history found searches for Pavlons' obituary. He was taken into custody Sept. 17 of last year. He and Pavlons share a child.

"She's doing pretty good. She's glad her dad is in jail," said Georgiann Pavlons.

Georgiann said her family hopes Pahl spends the rest of his life behind bars.