Ezekiel James Watkins of Kent pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he murdered his former girlfriend, 19-year-old  Kathy Chou of Renton, in April 2010.

Watkins is in the King County Jail on the first-degree murder charge. His bail is $1 million. He was also a suspect when Chou disappeared.

If convicted, Watkins faces 22 to 28 years in prison.

His next court appearance is Aug. 10, for a case setting hearing.

Chou disappeared after leaving her parents’ home on April 18, 2010. An investigation was done and searches made, including in the area where her body was eventually found. However, a break in the case didn’t come until police received a tip about a suspect in June.

Chou’s remains were found in the area of Boulevard Lane Park near 124th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 186th Street in southeast Renton earlier this month.