SAN DIEGO -- A Miramar-based Marine accused of strangling his stripper wife of two months in their Mira Mesa apartment pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder, even though he allegedly confessed to killing her.

Lance Cpl. Patrick Thomas Poteat, 21, is accused in the death of 19-year-old Kalyn O'Barr-Poteat early Tuesday.

Deputy District Attorney Dan Link told Judge David Szumowski that the defendant failed to show up for work at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Tuesday morning and was considered absent without leave.

A superior who went to look for Poteat at his residence got a text message from the defendant telling him to call 911 and force entry into the apartment, where "you'll find my wife's body," Link said.

When authorities got into the Hillery Drive apartment, they found the victim dead with scratches on her neck, the prosecutor said.

An autopsy determined that the young woman, who worked as a nude dancer at Goldfingers Gentlemen's Club under the stage name "Darla," had been choked to death with a cord or rope.

Police also found a signed note from the defendant on the refrigerator admitting to the crime, Link said.

Within hours, Poteat was tracked via his cell phone and was arrested heading to Twentynine Palms, the prosecutor said. He said Poteat was read his rights and admitted killing his wife.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the slaying. The couple recently moved to San Diego from Georgia and had only been married for about two months.

According to published reports, the victim called her mother in Georgia and said she was growing afraid of her new husband's temper.

Poteat faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Szumowski ordered the defendant held on $1 million bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Jan. 22. A status conference was set for next Thursday.