Orange County man charged for allegedly killing his girlfriend and dumping her body in a trash can

Investigation underway after woman's body found inside Costa Mesa dumpster

Orange County prosecutors charged a Costa Mesa man for allegedly strangling his girlfriend to death before dumping her body in a trash can last week. 

Daniel Allen Alrich, 49, faces one felony count of murder and a felony enhancement of personal use of a weapon. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison. He will be arraigned on Nov. 19. He's being held on a $1 million bail. 

Daniel Allen Aldrich allegedly killed his girlfriend after an argument following a night of drinking.  OC District Attorney

Aldrich allegedly killed his girlfriend, 38-year-old Julie Anne Sanetra, after an argument following a night of drinking on Oct. 20. Prosecutors said he left her body on the couch while he watched TV and went to bed.

"The callousness of this crime shocks the conscience, and we will do everything to get justice for Julie and her loved ones," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.

The following day, Aldrich allegedly dumped Sanetra's body inside a trash can at the side of their home before driving to Glendale to stay with his mother, according to the OCDA. 

Investigators said gardeners found the body on Oct. 22.

The Costa Mesa Police Department arrested him at his mother's home on the same day. 

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