The case for a Valencia murder suspect who allegedly strangled his boyfriend to death was continued again Monday after a preliminary hearing setting for his trial was rescheduled to September.

Christian Ortiz, 21, is suspected of strangling 20-year-old Brayan (Brian) Rodriguez and hiding his body in a Valencia home in September 2017.

Rodriguez’s family said the couple had been arguing the last time the murdered man was seen. They reported him missing Sept. 22.

A search party was sent out to find Rodriguez several days later. At the time, Ortiz introduced himself to a KHTS reporter as the victim’s boyfriend.

Later that day, investigators found Rodriguez dead inside Ortiz’s Valencia home, and arrested Ortiz in connection with the murder the following morning, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.

Ortiz pleaded not guilty in February at the San Fernando Superior Court. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.

Ortiz is currently being held at the Twin Tower Correctional Facility with a $2 million bail.

He is scheduled to return to court on September 4 for another preliminary hearing setting.

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