Ross William Crawford (FILE)

A Manchester Township man accused of killing his girlfriend remains hospitalized for wounds police say he inflicted upon himself.

Ross William Crawford, 40, of the 500 block of Harvest Drive, has been charged with one count of criminal homicide in the death of Cherylann Jennifer Dowell, 52.

A friend of Dowell's contacted police Friday after she walked in on a bloody scene at Dowell's apartment in the 500 block of Cedar Village Drive, also in Manchester Township, according to charging documents. Dowell had not been seen since she reported for work Wednesday at a Bob Evans restaurant.

The friend entered Dowell's home, walked upstairs and saw Dowell lying on the bathroom floor, covered by a sheet. She was not breathing or moving, documents state.

Crawford emerged from the apartment's master bedroom holding a knife and covered in blood, police said. The friend fled the building and called 911.

When police arrived, Crawford threatened to shoot any officers who attempted to enter the apartment. Police summoned the county's Quick Response Team, whose negotiators worked with Crawford for more than three hours before he surrendered. Crawford was taken to York Hospital for treatment.

Police found blood spatter in the bedroom and hallway floor, in addition to overturned furniture, broken picture frames and other signs of a struggle, according to documents. They also found several handwritten notes. One said "Sorry Mom!! I love you & Dad & My Sister. I Love Life. But my true love is gone got to join her."

Another, dated June 8, read, "Tried killing myself with pills did not work will die tonight," according to documents.

York County Deputy Coroner Steve Cosey determined Dowell had been dead for more than 24 hours before she was discovered.

Crawford remained at York Hospital for treatment Saturday afternoon.

Police had responded to altercations between Crawford and Dowell four times in the past year, documents state.

Officials ask anyone with information to contact Northern York County Regional Police by calling 292-3647 or by leaving a tip on the department's website at www.nycrpd.org.