SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Police say an American man killed his Canadian girlfriend inside a hotel room in upstate New York, then called 911 dispatchers to report the slaying.

Police in Syracuse say 38-year-old David Schmidinger called 911 around 11 a.m. Thursday from a street in the city, told a dispatcher he had killed his girlfriend and was waiting for the police.

Police Chief Frank Fowler says when officers arrived, Schmidinger directed them to the nearby Hampton Inn, where police found the body of 44-year-old Michelle Paterson, of Brampton, Ont.

Police say she was visiting Schmidinger and had arrived in Syracuse on Tuesday.

Authorities aren’t saying how Paterson was killed but police say Schmidinger, from nearby Baldwinsville, had a long off-and-on-again relationship with Paterson.

The City of Brampton confirmed on Friday that Paterson worked for 19 years as a facilities clerk in the municipality’s recreation department.

“The City of Brampton’s Council and staff would like to convey their deepest sympathies to Michelle’s friends and family,” city spokeswoman Natalie Stogdill said in a statement.

“Michelle was a valued member of her team and will be dearly missed by all of her colleagues,” the statement said.

Schmidinger pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder.

His lawyer couldn’t be reached for comment.

With files from Star staff

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