17-year-old Nikki G. Kuhnhausen's remains were found Dec. 7 near Larch Mountain. (Vancouver Police Department) Photo

Detectives say a 25-year-old man accused in the slaying of a Vancouver teenager strangled her to death after learning she was transgender.

David Y. Bogdanov of Vancouver appeared Wednesday morning in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of second-degree murder in the death of Nikki Kuhnhausen, 17, who disappeared June 5. Kuhnhausen, whose legal first name was Nikolas, identified as female.

Judge Suzan Clark granted the state’s request for no bail in Bogdanov’s case. A hearing to contest the no-bail hold is scheduled for Jan. 2.

Bogdanov did not speak during the brief hearing. Clark said Bogdanov did not qualify for court-appointed representation.

Defense attorney Erin Bradley McAleer appeared on Bogdanov’s behalf. McAleer said he would save his arguments on bail for the upcoming hearing.