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Suspect in Snapchat murder case appears in court

Posted at 12:42 PM, May 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-16 15:43:04-04

VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - A trial has been ordered for a man accused in the death of an acquaintance and then allegedly mentioning the crime on Snapchat.

Salvador Sanchez, 19, is suspected of killing 20-year-old Maithem Alfuraiji during a fight on April 27. Investigators said the two men, who had been drinking, got into an altercation following a disagreement.

Investigators alleged Sanchez buried Alfuraiji in a grassy area off East Paradise Creek Lane in Valley Center.

Several days later, investigators said friends of the victim contacted authorities after seeing Snapchat posts from the suspect that alluded to a possible homicide.

RELATED: Snapchat murder victim identified by police

Sanchez was arrested on April 30 -- the same day authorities found Alfuraiji's body.

In court Tuesday, an Escondido Police Department detective testified the victim showed signs of being strangled.

While a motive has not been established, the detective testified Sanchez told friends that Alfuraiji was doing dangerous things and presented a danger to all of them.

RELATED: Snapchat aids in arrest of Escondido murder suspect

Friends of the suspect and victim told 10News they believed Sanchez was "insane" and "not a normal individual."

Following testimony, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to go to trial.

Sanchez, who is being held on $2 million bail, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and other charges.