Thirty-seven-year-old Chad Jamie Gulbertson on Tuesday was charged in Freeborn County District Court with one count of second-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder in the death of Jody Lee Morrow.

Freeborn County District Court Judge John A. Chesterman set unconditional bail at $1 million. No conditional bail was set.

The charges come two days after authorities found Morrow, 38, dead in her trailer at 730 Larimore Circle.

Before officers found her, Gulbertson reportedly came into the Law Enforcement Center Sunday with a family member and told an officer he thought he killed his former girlfriend.

Local and state authorities have been investigating the case since.

A preliminary report from the Freeborn County medical examiner has determined that Morrow’s death was caused by multiple blunt force injuries to her head, according to the criminal complaint filed in court.

The complaint states Gulbertson told an officer he had hit Morrow, who was wheelchair bound because of a diabetic condition, with a hammer.

In court Tuesday, Freeborn County Attorney said he believes Gulbertson to be a “flight risk,” especially considering the allegations against him and the evidence that has been found in the case.

According to court records, when Gulbertson came into the Police Department on Sunday, he told Officer Bob Etheridge he went to Morrow’s home around 1 a.m. earlier that day. He first talked with her outside the trailer and later went into the home. He stated he and Morrow began to argue.

“Gulbertson then began crying hysterically and could not continue the conversation,” records state.

The family member with Gulbertson told Etheridge he had been contacted by Gulbertson around 6 a.m. Sunday by phone and Gulbertson asked him to come to Albert Lea to pick him up.

The family member did so and took Gulbertson to his home in Alden, the records continued. There was no conversation on the ride to Alden, and Gulbertson went into a bedroom and laid down.

At about 9:30 a.m. the family member got up and found Gulbertson in the kitchen sobbing, documents stated.

“When asked what was wrong, Chad Gulbertson told him that he had done the stupidest thing, and then stated that he had killed Jody Morrow,” the court record states. “(The family member) asked Chad Gulbertson if he was certain and Chad Gulbertson stated that he had hit her with a hammer.”

When officers arrived at 730 Larimore Circle, the front door of the attached enclosed porch of the trailer was locked. Officers breached the door and entered the main door, which was unlocked.

They found Morrow, in her nightgown, lying on the floor on her right side in front of her wheelchair.

“The floor, nightgown and seat of the wheelchair was covered in blood,” court records stated. “She appeared to have sustained serious head injuries.”

Behind her on the floor was a ball-peen hammer.

The report stated the mobile home was “extremely cluttered, filled with miscellaneous property, including tools.”

When Albert Lea Police Department detective Frank Kohl approached Gulbertson to interview him at the Freeborn County Law Enforcement Center, “Chad Gulbertson held out his hands and told detective Kohl to put the cuffs on him,” the report continued.

He told Kohl he was living with friends on Court Street and that he did not have a permanent place to live. He noted Saturday night he had been drinking with friends and went to Morrow’s house but couldn’t remember what time he was there, documents state.

Gulbertson’s clothing was checked and photographed and will be turned over to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic laboratory.

The charge of second-degree murder while under a restraining order for protection carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The third-degree murder charge, of perpetrating an eminently dangerous act and evincing a depraved mind, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Gulbertson is next scheduled to appear before the court at 1 p.m. July 6.

Chesterman informed Gulbertson of his rights, such as the right to an attorney and to a jury trial. Gulbertson indicated he would be applying for a public defender.