Ramona

A Ramona man whom authorities believe killed his wife and burned her body beyond recognition before killing his girlfriend pleaded innocent to murder charges Monday.

Superior Court Judge J. Richard Haden set an Oct. 26 trial date for Russell Laverne Klein, 40, who is charged with murder in the 1983 deaths of Susan Leigh Klein, 36, and Ann Milyard, 37.

Authorities believe charred bones unearthed in May in a San Pasqual Valley ravine are the remains of his wife. The bones were so badly charred that the victim’s identity couldn’t be determined.

In April, sheriff’s deputies, acting on a tip, dug up remains identified as Milyard’s at the 13-acre Ramona property owned by the Kleins and Milyard. They also found Milyard’s sports car buried on the property with parts of it poking through the ground.

Klein, who appeared before Haden in handcuffs, was arrested when the remains were dug up on his property. He is being held in County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.