A 22-year-old Renton man is being held on $1 million bail Thursday in the disappearance more than a year ago of Kathy Chou, 19, of Renton, whose body has not yet been found.

The deadline to file charges against the man is July 11; he is being held for investigation of a homicide. The bail hearing was held at the King County Jail in downtown Seattle Thursday afternoon. Until he’s charged, the Renton Reporter won’t identify him.

The man was arraigned as a search for Chou’s remains continued for a second day in the Boulevard Lane Park area in southeast Renton, not far from Lindbergh High School where Chou was a senior when she disappeared.

According to Renton police, the suspect was acquainted with Chou. However, a friend of Chou’s, Deseree Moore, said at the search scene Thursday that Chou and the suspect were good friends. Moore said she has known Chou for about five years.

“She was very social,” Moore said. “She made everyone smile.”

Moore said Chou lived about a mile from the search scene. Right next door to the park is the home where the suspect’s family lives, according to Moore and others at the scene.

Moore said the suspect was “really friendly” with people. But her father, Kent Augsburger, had a different impression of the suspect. He said he warned his daughter to stay away from him.

The King County Sheriff’s Office is part of the search effort as it has extensive background in investigating outdoor crime scenes.

The search area is in an extensive greenbelt area near power lines, just east of 116th Avenue Southeast near Southeast 184th Street.

Several individuals were interviewed during the investigation in Chou’s disappearance, including possible suspects and those who could provide information, said Terri Vickers, a spokeswoman for the Renton Police Department.

Police had received information about the suspect, then asked that he come to the police station at City Hall for an interview, according to Vickers. He was arrested at City Hall.

Renton detectives are still seeking information about Chou’s disappearance.

Chou was last seen at about 7 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2010. Someone heard from her later that night at about 9:30 p.m.

At the time of her disappearance, Renton Police indicated it was “extremely unlike” Chou to lose contact with her family and friends. She was last known to be in the area of south Renton and Southcenter.

Anyone with information about her disappearance and death are asked to contact the Renton Police Department at 425-430-7500 or Detective Barfield at 425-430-7534.