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Esteban Plea Postponed; Identity Of Body Found Remains Unknown

HAYWARD (CBS SF) - Murder suspect Giselle Esteban appeared in Alameda County Superior Court Monday on the charge that she killed nursing student Michelle Le, but her plea entry was postponed because she hasn't yet finalized her legal representation.

Le, 26, disappeared on May 27 from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward.

Two weeks ago, Esteban, a 27-year-old Union City woman, was charged with the murdering Le even though Le's body hadn't been found.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence and cellphone records were sufficient to connect Esteban to Le's death.

On Saturday, volunteers found a body in an unincorporated area between Pleasanton and Sunol where authorities believe Le had been, based on cellphone records.

However, Hayward police said it could take at least a week to identify the body.

Defense attorney Andrea Auer appeared in court on behalf of Esteban, but she told Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gary Picetti that it has not been determined whether she will represent Esteban.

Picetti granted Auer a delay and ordered Esteban to return to court on Sept. 28 to finalize her legal representation and possibly enter a plea.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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