An Elkridge man has been charged with the 1991 murder of his wife, Howard County Police said Thursday, after her remains were found under the floorboards of a shed near his current wife's home.

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Police arrested and charged Robert Arnold Jarrett, 57, with murder of murder of his wife, Christine Jarrett, 21 years ago.

Jarrett is being held on first and second-degree murder charges with no bond. He reported his wife missing on Jan. 5, 1991 and told police she had walked away from their home after an argument.

"We always looked at Mr. Jarrett as a suspect," Howard County Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said. "We just didn't have enough evidence early on to prove that."

Christine was never seen or heard from again. Police suspected foul play, but did not have evidence to prove anything at the time, police reported. Neighbors, though, suspected foul play.

"It seemed to be a strong suspicion among the people that knew her...that she would not have left," Elkridge resident Marty Giuliano said.

Police recently received information that reinforced the possibility that the case may have involved foul play.

Based off a tip, Howard County detectives visited the home where Jarrett's estranged wife lives on Wednesday. During the search, police found the remains of a woman confirmed to be Christine Jarrett under the floorboards of a shed. The remains were buried in concrete, police said.

Personal items located with the body indicate it is likely Jarrett, police said, adding that the remains will be analyzed by the medical examiner.

A woman identified by a neighbor as Jarrett's current estranged wife declined to comment.