DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne Police Department arrested Troy Robert MacDonald, 43, of Fairhope for the murder of Brianna Parish, police said Monday during an evening press conference.

MacDonald was arrested at 2:20 p.m. Monday, processed at the Daphne jail and then transported to the Baldwin County Corrections Center.

MacDonald faces a capital murder charge that carries a possible death penalty.

Police Capt. Daniel Bell would not comment on the cause of death, allegations of rape or information regarding Parish’s autopsy results.

However, he did maintain disputed reports of drug use associated with the murder.

“We still stand by that,” he said, concerning drug associations with the death.

Family members have contested the police department’s allegations that Parish had used drugs.

A search team organized by Parish’s family discovered the 21-year-old’s half-naked body Nov. 14 in woods near the Daphne Utilities sewage plant; she had been last seen around 1 a.m. Nov. 12 at Bay House Pub.

Early on, murmurs of rape—which other media outlets reported—had spread, but police—who have held very tight to details, citing an ongoing investigation—have never confirmed the allegation.

“The murder of Brianna was a horrendous act that took the life of a young woman,” Bell said. “Brianna’s murder has been the No. 1 priority of the police department.”

MacDonald has no set bond but will go before the judge today for a bond hearing.

Asked why MacDonald went from a ‘person of interest’—a status held for the entirety of the five-week investigation—to an official suspect, Bell said, “Nothing in particular happened today.

“It’s an ongoing investigation and a lot of details had to be assessed.

“We’re beginning the judiciary process.”

The Daphne Police Department issued a statement that said it thanks the family of Brianna Parish, the FBI, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office and Daphne residents for their support and assistance during investigation.