EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn – A man has been arrested after allegedly slashing his girlfriend's throat in East New York Wednesday, police say.

Officers responded to a 911 call of an unconscious person in front of 1473 Blake Ave. just before midnight Tuesday, the department said. Upon arrival, they found Karen Ashley, 45, in the driver's seat of a gold 2004 Nissan Maxima with her throat cut, police said.

EMS responded and pronounced her dead.

Her boyfriend, Beresford Ashley, 55, surrendered himself shortly after police discovered she was dead, the NYPD said.

He was later arrested and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Police initially identified the man as the woman's husband. They later said the couple's relationship is being investigated, and they are believed to have had a common-law marriage.