Damariscotta man arrested in connection with death of ex-wife in Waldoboro
Levern Kelley was found dead in her home on Genthner Road in Waldoboro last Saturday. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, but no further information has been released by police. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer)
Maine State Police have arrested a man they say fled to Florida after killing his ex-wife in Waldoboro earlier this month.
James Clark, 49, of Damariscotta, was arrested in Florida in connection with the death of Waldoboro resident Levern Kelley. (Courtesy of Volusia County Jail)
James Clark, 49, of Damariscotta, was arrested at the Red Carpet Inn in South Daytona, Florida, on Friday and was charged with murder in the death of Levern Kelley, 53, of Waldoboro, Maine State Police said.
Court records show Clark and Kelley divorced in 2023. In June 2024, he was charged with two counts of domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening against Kelley. Those charges were later dropped and he pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in January.
Kelley was found dead on Aug. 9 at her home on Genthner Road.
A warrant was issued for Clark’s arrest on Friday morning after several days of investigation. State police said Clark was found with help from the Maine Information and Analysis Center and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Clark was arrested without incident and is awaiting extradition to Maine, police said.
Waldoboro officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies went to Kelley’s home after someone called 911 to check on her after she didn’t show up for work.
After an autopsy the next day, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta ruled her death a homicide.
Police have revealed few details about what they believe happened to Kelley, including her cause of death.
On a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Kelley’s “final wishes,” her daughter Amanda Gustafson wrote that someone had called 911 after her mother hadn’t shown up for work.
“There was foul play involved, and my mom was murdered, I’m still in disbelief,” Gustafson wrote. “We all are.”
The Press Herald could not reach the family this week.
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