A vigil was held by COC students Tuesday night in memory of Brayan Jose Rodriguez, 20.

Rodriguez is believed to have been strangled to death by his boyfriend Christian Ortiz, 21, in the suspect’s Valencia home, according to homicide detectives.

The candlelight vigil was held at 7 p.m. on COC’s campus near Aliso Hall, and was announced on social media by event organizers.

About 100 of Rodriguez’s friends, family and those who wished to pay their respects gathered on the Santa Clarita college campus, reminiscing and mourning the loss of the 20-year-old, who was scheduled to start classes at U.C. San Diego the Monday after his murder, according to several sources.

Related: Valencia Murder Victim Identified By Coroner

“This vigil allowed us to mourn the loss together and process what happened,” said Devon Miller, COC’s ASG president and friend of Rodriguez’s. “Brayan was such a beautiful soul and it gave us an important opportunity to share those stories and focus on the good memories and not the bad.”

“The vigil was important for the community because, for instance, Brayan’s neighbor, who had known him since he was maybe two or three, said that because of all the stories people were sharing she ‘knew him better,’” said Miller. “She knew said she learned a different side to Brayan because of the event.”

Rodriguez was a tutor for the Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program at College of the Canyons before getting accepted into University of California, San Diego.

Deputies reportedly found Rodriguez dead inside a home at the 23600 block of Via Valer around 4 p.m., when deputies and fire officials responded Sunday evening.

Christian Ortiz, 21, who reportedly lived at the residence where Rodriguez was found, was arrested on a murder charge at 3 a.m. Monday morning, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.

Homicide detectives said the evidence and interviews suggest that Rodriguez died at the hands of another, and that they believe Ortiz is responsible for his death.

Ortiz identified himself to a KHTS reporter as Rodriguez’ boyfriend on Sunday. That morning a search party went out to find Rodriguez, who had been missing for several hours.

Ortiz is a member of Hart’s 2014 graduating class, and played football at the Santa Clarita high school, according to former teammates.

Ortiz’s bail has been set at $2,000,000. If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s office.

The criminal complaint against Ortiz was filed on Monday afternoon. Ortiz’s arraignment was continued to November 16.

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