Pasadena man charged with murder, 1 year after reporting girlfriend’s death as overdose

A Pasadena man was arrested Thursday and charged with murder, more than a year after police said he called emergency services to falsely say his girlfriend died of an overdose, authorities said.

Scott A. Kirby, 33, is charged with second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and with making false statements to an officer, according to online court records.

Kirby called 911 early in the morning on April 4, 2025, to report that his girlfriend, Heather Elizabeth Beaver, died of an overdose at his home in the 1200 block of Lorene Court, police said in charging documents.

Paramedics took her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police officers on scene noted that Beaver had bruising and cuts all over her body.

Kirby allegedly told police that Beaver, 34, had taken Xanax and then collapsed in front of him.

An autopsy, including toxicology screening, produced no evidence of an overdose, police wrote; the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Beaver died from “multiple blunt force trauma injuries.”

Officials responding to the 911 call found Beaver in Kirby’s bedroom, police wrote, which was “in a state of disarray,” including a broken bed and other signs “consistent with a violent struggle or assault.”

Kirby also told police that Beaver came to the house some time between April 3 and April 4. Investigators determined that to be false and found they had been together since April 1, according to charging documents.

Kirby was arrested April 23 at his home in Pasadena without incident, according to police. He was ordered held without bond after a hearing on April 24.

Police first announced a homicide investigation into Beaver’s death in May 2025.

The Anne Arundel County state’s attorney’s office declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.

Kirby does not have an attorney listed in online court records. He has a court hearing scheduled for May 13.

Though Kirby has been arrested, police are asking anyone who may have information about the case to call 410-222-4731. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700.