VAN NUYS (CNS) — A 35-year-old man who police allege confessed to killing his live-in girlfriend in Reseda on Thanksgiving morning has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.
Ricardo Sauz was ordered held on $2 million bail. He could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the killing of 31-year-old Carolina Medina, who was also known as Zindy Carolina Gonzalez.
Sauz is scheduled to return to court Jan. 22, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Paramedics sent to the 7500 block of Enfield Avenue around 10:50 a.m. on Nov. 22 found Medina dead from blunt-force trauma, according to Los Angeles police.
Sauz was interviewed at the scene and allegedly confessed to killing the woman, according to police, who said the two had a history of domestic violence.
The couple’s young son, who was at the house when his mother was fatally injured, was taken into protective custody.