A North Carolina man has been charged with murder after his roommate was found dead and buried in the backyard of the home they shared in New Hanover County.

Elvin Noel Baca, 34, was arrested on Wednesday for the murder of Lawrence Grabka, 69. He was also charged with concealing or failing to report a death.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said Grabka was reported missing by a friend who said that he didn’t pick up the phone when she called him on Tuesday and that his door was unlocked when she stopped by, WECT reported. She told the dispatcher that she found his phone and wallet inside and that it was unsual for him to be uncommunicative since she was the person who drove him where he needed to go.

“He’s not home, his wallet’s there, his phone is there. He has no car or license. I take him on, to his grocery shopping. I take him for all of his needs,” the friend said during the call, according to WWAY.

Deputies went to the home and met with Baca, then began their investigation, ultimately finding Grabka’s body in a shallow grave in the backyard.

“The circumstances surrounding this case are deeply concerning, and our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time; our priority remains seeking justice for the victim,” said Sheriff Edward McMahon.

Katherine Roush told WECT she was the friend who went to the house to check on Grabka, whom she described as “the sweetest man in the world.”

“I saw [Baca] that night, the night he probably did it,” she said. “Larry wasn’t answering his phone. So, I stopped in and Larry wasn’t home. [Baca] was sitting in his car. He said he hadn’t seen him, and he smiled at me and told me he loved me. Yeah, I can’t get that image out of my head.”

Baca appeared in court on Thursday and was ordered held without bond. He is due in court again on April 18.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Elvin Noel Baca/New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office]