Paul Calnen has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, Reita Jordan.

The jury, consisting of four men and eight women, reached the verdict Sunday morning.

Jordan disappeared in March 2013. The 34-year-old was living with Calnen in Hammonds Plains, N.S. at the time.

The Crown argued that Calnen murdered Jordan and hid her body in the woods near his home before returning to the site weeks later to burn her remains.

The defence told the court that Jordan died from an accidental fall and Calnen panicked.

Calnen admitted to burning Jordan’s body but told the court he didn’t kill her. He pleaded guilty to interfering with human remains but pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

Jordan's remains have never been found.

The 52-year-old Hammonds Plains man was remanded into custody after the verdict was read in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax.

The charge of second-degree murder carries a life sentence.

The case is due back in court for a parole eligibility hearing in January.