Police say they have arrested the ex-boyfriend of Jenni-Lyn Watson, whose body was found in a storage shed near Clay Central Park, New York.
Steven Pieper faces arraignment on murder charges, police said at a press conference today.
Watson and Pieper had an on-and-off relationship over an 18-month period, according to Onondaga County district attorney William Fitzpatrick.
The arrest came hours after searchers combing through woods for any sign of Watson found her body covered in debris behind a storage shed in a swampy area of Clay Central Park.
Mr Fitzpatrick claimed Pieper was upset when Watson tried to end their relationship in early October.
He said investigators believe Pieper killed her at her parents' house on November 19, and her body was 'dumped, frankly, like garbage' in the park.
Watson's body was found at 10.30am in the park, where the search had focused since she disappeared on November 19.
Watson's family has been notified and will identify the remains. An autopsy is planned for tomorrow morning.
Watson, 20, disappeared a day after returning home to Clay for Thanksgiving break.
Undersheriff Warren Darby said on Friday that more than 100 people were searching for her.
He said the search expanded from 600 acres to 1,200 acres. Watson was a junior dance major at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.
Her parents had told investigators it was ‘uncharacteristic’ for the pretty college student to go off on her own without telling anybody.
Miss Watson’s murder has stunned the entire community of Liverpool, which had thrown itself into finding her.
Friends held a vigil at Mercyhurst College, while others in Liverpool handed out flyers to members of the public.
A website and a Facebook page was set up to help find her - the Facebook page attracting more than 27,000 members.
Pictures posted on both show Miss Watson enjoying herself like any girl her age - at a senior ball, at the seaside with friends and at a party in fancy dress as an angel.

On her Facebook page she lists one of her favourite quotes as: ‘You are only as strong as the martinis you drink.... tables you dance on and the friends that you have.’
Sergeant John D'Eredita of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office said two search teams and sniffer dogs had combed around 200 acres of woodland bordering an industrial area in Clay, a short distance away from Liverpool.
Miss Watson had just finished her exams at Mercyhurst College when she came back home.

She was last seen on Friday morning at the family home by her parents and 17-year-old sister.
When they came back that that afternoon she had vanished, apparently taking just her mobile phone.
Her wallet and house keys were still indoors.