Prosecutors believe a dispute over the rent led to the alleged murder, but they still don’t know what caused Maribel Ramos’ death. Ramos’ roommate, 54-year-old Kwang Chol Joy, is being held on $1 million bail. Vikki Vargas reports from Santa Ana for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on May 21, 2013.
An Orange County man was charged Tuesday with murdering his roommate, an Army veteran and college student, and dumping her body in a canyon, authorities said.
Kwang Chol Joy, 54, of Orange, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is accused of killing Maribel Ramos, 36, after she told him to move out because he was not paying rent, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.
Joy allegedly killed Ramos at some point between the night of May 2 and May 3, when friends reported her missing, according to the district attorney.
Search crews found Ramos' body May 16 off of Santiago Canyon Road. Police arrested Joy the next day.
Ramos was a student at California State University, Fullerton at the time of her death.
Joy was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon.
