Investigators have learned there was a romantic relationship between a 16-year-old boy and the 17-year-old boy he is suspected of fatally stabbing in suburban Los Angeles, authorities say.
Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida confirmed the relationship Friday. The two teens had previously been described as very good friends.
Investigators told
KCAL9 that Sanchez was killed after telling his boyfriend he wanted to break-up so he could date a girl.
After that talk, the suspect called Sanchez and asked to meet before midnight Tuesday at the riverbed, where Sanchez's body was found stabbed in the bushes.
The body of Jeremy Sanchez was found Wednesday in a riverbed in South El Monte after he failed to show up at school.
The teen's father called the suspect and another good friend of his son to help search for him.
"The person who killed him is the one who said, 'Look there he is,'" sheriff's homicide Lt. John Corina said.
Thursday morning, detectives received information that the friend might be involved in the incident. They served a search warrant on his home and obtained 'substantial' evidence that led to the teen's arrest.
Lt. Corina would not say whether the suspect confessed to the crime.
Investigators believe the suspect, whose name hasn't been released because of his age, stabbed Sanchez multiple times and left his body in the wooded area.
The murder weapon hasn't been recovered yet, but they believe the suspect used a knife.