NEW YORK (LALATE) – Steve Pieper aka Steven M. Pieper (photo below) is charged with Jenni-Lyn Watson’s murder. Steven Pieper appeared in court during a Saturday night arraignment in Clay. The 21 year-old form Liverpool pleaded not guilty.

Watson was found in shed in near Clay Central Park, N.Y. Saturday. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick confirmed search efforts had focused on the Park since Watson’s disappearance on November 19. An autopsy is set for Sunday.

Watson, 20, had returned home for Thanksgiving break. A day later she disappeared. Witnesses now say that Pieper (photo HERE) was pursuing her after a recent split, friend-requesting her on Facebook; Watson denied the requests.

Watson left the family home on Friday morning without her keys. Family members told Erie-Times News that it’s not like Jenni to leave without notifying someone. Watson’s phone, a Verizon LG en V3, had turned on and off since she disappeared.

Watson was a junior at Mercyhurst College in Erie.