Man allegedly strangled his girlfriend, slit her wrists, and dumped her body in trash can

COSTA MESA, Calif. (TCN) — Prosecutors recently charged a man after gardeners found his girlfriend’s body in a trash can last week.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office alleges that on Sunday, Oct. 20, Daniel Aldrich strangled 38-year-old Julie Anne Sanetra and slit her wrists with a folding knife after an argument “following a night of drinking.” Aldrich allegedly left her body on the couch, watched television, and then went to bed.

The following day, prosecutors said Aldrich pulled Sanetra’s body outside and placed her into a trash can. He then purportedly packed a bag and drove to his mother’s residence in Glendale. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, landscapers arrived to work on the lawn, discovered Sanetra’s remains, and called the Costa Mesa Police Department. Officers later arrested Aldrich at his mother’s home.

The district attorney’s office charged Aldrich with one felony count of murder and one felony enhancement of the personal use of a weapon. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life. Aldrich remains held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 19.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “Julie Sanetra did not deserve to be strangled and stuffed into a trash can like a piece of garbage. The callousness of this crime shocks the conscience, and we will do everything to get justice for Julie and her loved ones.”

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