The boyfriend of a man who was found apparently strangled to death in the closet of the home they shared was charged in the killing.
Christian Alexander Ortiz, 21, was charged with murder in the death of Brayan Rodriguez, who had been reported missing by his family, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors confirm the two were in a relationship.
Loved ones were executing a search for the 20-year-old UC San Diego student on Sunday when his body was found in Ortiz’s closet, two days after he was reported missing.
Rodriguez’s family said he disappeared after walking out following a heated argument on Sept. 22.
Suspect Arrested in Strangling Death of 20-Year-Old Man Who Had Been Reported Missing in Santa Clarita
Deputies believe the cause of death was strangulation. They had been called to the house regarding a person not breathing.
Sheriff’s officials have said the body was found in Santa Clarita, but the DA’s office says it was found in the closet of Ortiz, a resident of Valencia.
Ortiz was taken into custody early and was being held on $2 million bail. He is set to be arraigned in the San Fernando branch of L.A. County Superior Court.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the death.
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