By Jen Claise
Staff Writer

A Candia man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Tuesday, Nov. 30, after police discovered a Manchester woman’s body in the gravel pits several hundred yards behind his home.

Police believe Daniel Champney, 42, with a last known address of 418 Critchett Road, strangled to death Sandra Royce, 52, of 455 Maple St. in Manchester, according to the state’s attorney general’s office. Officials also believe the crime was committed in Candia.

Royce’s body was found in the pits by state and local police sometime after 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 29. The wooded area is popular with all-terrian vehicle riders.

The state’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Thomas Andrew, conducted Royce’s autopsy Tuesday at 10 a.m., and ruled her death a homicide due to ligature strangulation.

Candia Police Chief Mike McGillen said he could not release further information on the case, and deferred to the state’s attorney general’s office, which would only release limited information to reporters as of Tuesday evening.

At press time, Champney was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, Dec. 1 in Auburn District Court.

No phone listing could be found for the home at 418 Critchett Road which, according to town assessment data, is owned by the Champney family trust.