Cedar Rapids man faces charges he tried to kill fiancee

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man faces charges that he tried to kill his fiancee by assaulting her, causing several broken bones and other serious injuries.

Richard Gerard Brown, 47, who was arrested Saturday, is charged with attempt to commit murder, willful injury resulting in serious injury and domestic abuse assault.

According to a criminal complaint, the assault happened Friday. Cedar Rapids police officers were dispatched to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital where they found the fiancee severely beaten and unrecognizable. She had multiple facial injuries including fractures in both orbital bones and other fractures, as well as a broken jaw. She had bruising on her face consistent with being kicked or stomped on, and she had at least seven broken ribs, the complaint said.

The woman was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she will require multiple surgeries, the complaint states.

Brown admitted to police that he had assaulted his fiancee and “stated she was on the floor in fetal position when he left the scene,” according to the complaint.

Brown had not had his first appearance in court yet as of Monday morning.

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