A Valencia murder suspect accused of strangling his boyfriend to death returned to court Tuesday for a continuation of his case.

Christian Ortiz, 21, is suspected of strangling 20-year-old Brayan Rodriguez and hiding his body at 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. Deputies then arrested Ortiz the following morning in connection with the murder, according to Sheriff’s Department arrest records.

Ortiz pleaded not guilty in February 2018 at the San Fernando Superior Court. If convicted, he faces a maximum life sentence in state prison.

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

He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 29 for an arraignment.

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