The Augusta County Sheriff's Office says a Staunton woman found dead in a Verona Food Lion parking lot died of strangulation.

Thirty-six-year-old Misty Phillips' body was found in the back of 39-year-old Timothy Aaron Wilkins' Four Runner Friday night.

The sheriff's office is now trying to figure out what Wilkins may have been doing in the 48 hours before Phillips' body was found.

"Based on information that we've received today, we're looking at anywhere from Wednesday or Thursday night. That's part of the ongoing investigation just trying to determine the exact, or as best we can, evening," says Investigator Paul McCormick.

McCormick says this is unusual for Wilkins, and his neighbors agree.

"Just nice, polite and everything. We never expected this," says neighbor Stephanie Smith.

McCormick confirmed Wilkins and Phillips were dating.

"They had been together about six years. They did not live together, they had separate residences. And I have not specifically myself spoken to neighbors, but apparently there was a history of arguing," says McCormick.

Smith says she's witnessed such arguing first-hand on numerous occasions.

"Saying that she hated you and she was using verbal words, and she got over here to the bridge and started cussing," says Smith.

Smith says her mom was the last person in her family to see Phillips, which was Wednesday.

"She saw her in Wal-Mart. I don't know with her boyfriend or by herself, my mom just said she seen her in Wal-Mart," says Smith.

Wilkins faces a charge of first degree murder and is currently in the Middle River Regional Jail without bail.