An American couple from the state of Oklahoma were charged on July 24 with murder after the body of a young woman was found in their home a year earlier, US News reported.

It was in May 2021 that police discovered the body of Margarita Sandoval, 19, hidden in a box under the stairs of a house. She had been missing for three years.

Her brother, Octavio Sanchez, 35, and sister-in-law, Desiree Sanchez, 27, were charged with murder after a 14-month investigation.

In January 2018, the young woman had moved with the couple. Since he was abusing her, she had already called 9-1-1 to report it.

A few months later, the family has heard nothing more from Margarita.

Since she was living with a mental disability, she was receiving disability benefits.

According to authorities, the couple continued to collect the money until Margarita's body was found.