LOS ANGELES -- A Canadian man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of torturing, mutilating and killing a girlfriend whose bloodless body was found in their Southern California apartment last week.

Prosecutors say Blake Leibel, 35, could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying of 30-year-old Iana Kasian.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office says in a release that they believe Kasian was killed on or between May 23 and 26.

U.S. authorities have said Kasian's mother had reported her missing.

Deputies discovered her dead body last Thursday after forcing their way through a door that they say Leibel had barricaded with furniture.

Authorities allege Kasian was tortured and mutilated before she was slain and that the blood was drained from her body.

They say the couple had a child together, but deputies provided no further details about their relationship.

The district attorney's office says Leibel faces a total of four charges: murder, mayhem, aggravated mayhem and torture. Prosecutors say he pleaded not guilty to all of the charges in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday.

The National Post has reported that Leibel is the son of Toronto-area businessman Lorne Leibel, the owner of Touchstone Homes.

Representatives from Touchstone Homes have declined to confirm the relationship between the suspect and the elder Leibel.

The younger Leibel's lawyer declined to comment on the case.

Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef said that a week before Kasian's body was found, Leibel was arrested on a sex-assault charge. He was booked May 20 and released later in the day on $100,000 bail, according to jail records.

Leibel is being held without bail. He is due back in court June 14.

- With files from The Canadian Press.