KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A former police officer accused of killing two women and hiding their remains in a pair of suitcases has pleaded not guilty in the death of one.

Steven Zelich pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree homicide and hiding a corpse in the death of Jenny Gamez, of Cottage Grove, Oregon.

A criminal complaint says the 52-year-old former West Allis officer killed the 19-year-old college student during a sexual choking game at a Kenosha hotel and then hid her body in his home and car for months before dumping it along a rural highway in early June.

Zelich also is a suspect in the death of a Farmington, Minnesota, woman.

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