Investigators believe that Sanchez fought with the victim on Thursday evening after an evening of drinking. They say the suspect then killed him and buried his body in tall grass.
Law enforcement had been unaware of the murder until Snapchat users called the police to report that they had found out their friend had been murdered on the social media platform.
Sanchez had allegedly posted text statements alluding to the murder on Snapchat, though Escondido Police Lt. Justin Murphy told NBC 7 that he did not post photos or videos of the crime.
The victim will not be publicly identified until the medical examiner can make a positive identification and notify the family. The department has also not revealed the cause of death. An autopsy was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
Sanchez is charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held in the Vista Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.
