A Tucker man allegedly bludgeoned his girlfriend to death before engaging in a Valentine's Day standoff with police at her home in Norcross, according to his arrest warrant.

Shannon Marlow, 33, struck 47-year-old Patricia Rabold on the head three times with an ax, the warrant states. Marlow is being held at the Gwinnett jail without bond on a murder charge.

Gwinnett County Police Department/Handout (ENLARGE)

Shannon Alan Marlow is charged with killing his girlfriend, Patricia Rabold, inside her Norcross home.

Gwinnett County Police Department/Handout

Patricia Rabold

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Marlow was wanted by several law enforcement agencies before his 11-hour standoff with Gwinnett police Thursday.

He had outstanding warrants from the U.S. Marshal's Office for making threats and from DeKalb police for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

He was also wanted in Gwinnett for probation violation and an automobile theft charge for allegedly stealing Rabold's automobile, a 1997 Saturn.

Marlow has a history of arrests dating back to 1992 in Gwinnett. Court records from those cases show he was diagnosed as a schizophrenic and that by age 18 he had been in and out of psychiatric treatment centers. His mother, Patsy Caldwell, of Tucker, said her son had recently stopped taking his medication.

"If I knew, I would tell you, but I don't know what was going through his head," Caldwell said. "There's really nothing I can say that can help."

Rabold's family members said Marlow was abusive toward her and they feared for her safety.

Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Illana Spellman said officers got a tip that Marlow was at Rabold's home on Edgemoor Drive in Norcross on Thursday, and went there to arrest him on the outstanding warrants.

When they entered the house, they found Rabold deceased, Spellman said. Cheryl Patrick, Rabold's sister-in-law, said the family was told Marlow used the blunt end of the ax to kill Rabold.

Investigators said Rabold probably was killed Wednesday, based on a statement from Marlow and the stage of the body's decomposition.

The officers withdrew and set up a perimeter around the house because they believed Marlow was still lurking in the home. After spending several hours attempting to coax Marlow into surrendering, Spellman said, SWAT officers re-entered the house Friday morning and found him hiding in the attic.

Funeral arrangements for Rabold are being handled by R.T. Patterson Funeral home in Lilburn. Family members said they have not yet set a time and date.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday for Marlow in Gwinnett County Magistrate Court.