A man was charged in the killing of a woman who was found dead inside her Spring Valley apartment early Friday morning.

Warle Fernandez-Arias, 37, was charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday night.

News 12 also learned during the arraignment that the victim was allegedly stabbed in the back with a large kitchen knife.

Authorities were called to the scene at 149 Sneden Place West early Friday morning.

Police say they came to the unit as part of a welfare check shortly before 6 a.m. when they found 36-year-old Carolyn Canela dead inside.

Their investigation led them to arrest Fernandez-Arias.

He lived in the same apartment with the victim.

Homicide detectives say they believe the death is domestic-related.

Multiple family members whom News 12 spoke with said Canela and Fernandez-Arias were in a relationship.

Family members who were present at the arraignment said Canela she was young and full of life.

"There was a lot of beautiful aspects about her. She was young with a bright future ahead of her," said in Spanish Evilenie Blanco, a relative of Canela.

Multiple law enforcement agencies spent hours at the scene investigating.

Spring Valley police are asking anyone with information about what happened to contact them.

A preliminary hearing was set for Fernandez-Arias on Feb. 28.