AUBURN – Ryan Muncey, 28, was charged with murder Tuesday in connection with last week’s stabbing death of Casey Stanley.

According to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, an arrest warrant was issued in Androscoggin County Superior Court Tuesday morning.

Muncey had been held as a material witness at an Illinois jail after he was taken into custody Sunday. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday in Illinois and waived extradition to Maine.

According to McCausland, arrangements are being made for Muncey’s return to Maine under police escort. He was expected to be back Wednesday.

“Thank God,” said Loretta Leet, the mother of Stanley’s girlfriend. “It’s a relief for us that he’s been charged.”

McCausland said there are no plans to charge Muncey’s girlfriend, 25-year-old Alisha Turner, who was also taken into custody over the weekend in Illinois. Both were arrested as material witnesses in the slaying of Stanley.

Court documents filed in Androscoggin County Superior Court were not released on Tuesday. Stanley’s mother, Vicki Stanley, of Freeport, said she was told about the arrest by the Maine State Police.

“I feel better that he’s been arrested. It helps tremendously,” she said. “It lifts a great weight.”

Stanley, 26, of Auburn, was killed June 11 at Moulton Field. Police said he was stabbed in the chest, though no motive has been disclosed.

“I’ve heard the rumors,” Vicki Stanley said. “I’m not listening to all the theories. Only two people know what happened and one of them is gone. I have confidence in the legal system.”

Stanley’s funeral is scheduled Thursday in Yarmouth.

“I’m going to miss him dearly,” his mother said. “He was a good boy.”