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The California hotel room where a New Zealander's girlfriend was found dead in a container of dry-ice contained unopened Christmas presents of cocaine, a dancer's pole and sex toys, according to CBS television.
The story of New Zealander Stephen David Royds and his girlfriend Monique Trepp has gained wide-spread coverage in the US media.
Trepp's body was found after Royds was arrested on drugs charges in California.
CBS reports that Royds has racked up a bill of US$250,000 at the posh Fairmont Hotel at Newport Beach.
Assistant District Attorney Dennis Conway said the official report from the coroner had not been received but it appeared Trepp died of an overdose.
A CBS reporter said Royds put the body on ice to avoid reporting the death to authorities and being sentenced on previous drugs charges.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Newport Police were "more than a little baffled" when they found the body of Trepp.
Sergeant Evan Sailor said: "It's not normal, it's a little weird."
Police told the LA Times that they had been watching Royds for a while.
The Orange County Register quotes the owner of a bar that Trepp and Royds frequently visited.
Bar owner Arturo Flores told the paper that he had heard Royds had held a memorial ceremony for Trepp about a year ago.
Mr Conway told the paper that Royds' room was in "disarray, strewn with drug paraphernalia and wrapped Christmas presents. It was apparently pretty hard to walk around in there. There was so much stuff on the floor," he said.
The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that Royds' dead girlfriend was charged with crimes in Colorado, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell in 2005.
The Union-Tribune said her lawyer told the Register that a much older man posted bail for Trepp before she disappeared and that records show there were still outstanding warrants for her arrest.
Royds had a prior drug conviction in Orange County in 2002 but did not appear for sentencing, the paper said.
Mr Conway said even if Royds did post the $1 million bail on the new charges, he would be held without bail on the older case.
The Silicon Valley Mercury News is reporting that Royds' court-appointed lawyer, Richard Carmona, did not comment after Monday's brief hearing.
He was also not returning calls to Associated Press on Monday.
