ALEDO, Ill. (AP) — A 46-year-old Mercer County man has been charged in the death of his estranged wife after police say he confessed to the October 2011 slaying.

William “Pete” White Jr. was formally arraigned and charged Wednesday with first-degree murder. He has been considered a person of interest since 39-year-old Melissa White of Viola was found unconscious in her backyard and later died from skull fractures. She had filed a restraining order against him shortly before her death.