Aramazd Andressian Sr. pleads guilty to murder charge in killing of 5-year-old son

LOS ANGELES -- (KTLA) -- Aramazd Andressian entered a guilty plea Tuesday in the killing his son, 5-year-old Aramazd Andressian Jr., whose disappearance prompted a monthslong search in April that ended when the boy's body was found in the Lake Cachuma area in Santa Barbara County in June.

Andressian Sr. pleaded guilty to one count of murder during a preliminary hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The 35-year-old had previously pleaded not guilty during his July 3 arraignment.

Andression Jr. was reported missing by his mother, Ana Estevez, after Andressian Sr. failed to show up for a custody exchange on April 22.

Earlier the same day, Andressian Sr. was found passed out near his car at Arroyo Park, but the boy was not with him.

Andressian Sr. was arrested on suspicion of child abduction and child endangerment by South Pasadena police but later released due to lack of evidence.

According to police, Andressian Jr.'s parents were involved in a contentious divorce and custody battle.

The boy had last been seen with his father at Disneyland two days before he was reported missing.