WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A professional tennis referee was arrested Tuesday and faces charges in the murder of her 80-year-old husband.

Lois Goodman was arrested by Los Angeles Police Department detectives while she was in New York for the U.S. Open.

The 70-year-old is accused of killing Alan Frederick Goodman in their Woodland Hills home on April 17, according to the LAPD.

Investigators originally believed the victim had fallen down the stairs, but the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office found his injuries inconsistent with a fall.

After a full homicide investigation detectives determined the victim’s death a murder and Goodman became the prime suspect.

Officials believe Goodman “bludgeoned her husband to death with a coffee mug,” according to a press release.

An arrest warrant was filed to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on August 14.

Goodman is in custody at a Manhattan jail awaiting her extradition back to Los Angeles where she could face up to life in prison.

“This morning I found out she was arrested — not much of surprise,” said Goodman’s neighbor Michael Rudchenko, in the Warner Hill community. “The police was coming every day for weeks. We got suspicious she may be involved.”

Goodman started playing tennis at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana and was recruited to officiate matches.

A USTA spokesperson confirmed she has officiated U.S. Open matches in the past and was working on qualifying matches before the tournament begins next week.