Songwriter's son pleads not guilty to murder in NY

NEW YORK – An Academy Award-winning songwriter's son has pleaded not guilty to murdering his swimsuit designer girlfriend in a trendy New York City hotel.

About a dozen members of designer Sylvie Cachay's (kash-AYZ') family converged on a Manhattan court for Nicholas Brooks' brief appearance Tuesday.

The 24-year-old Brooks is being held without bail.

The 33-year-old Cachay was found dead Dec. 9 in an overflowing bathtub at the Soho House hotel. Medical examiners have found she was strangled and drowned.

Brooks' lawyer has said she was "absolutely fine" when Brooks last saw her.

The defendant's father is "You Light Up My Life" writer Joseph Brooks.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — An Academy Award-winning songwriter's son is due to answer allegations that he killed his swimsuit designer girlfriend. She was found dead in a bathtub at a trendy New York hotel.

Nicholas Brooks has a court date Tuesday in Manhattan. He's been held without bail since his arrest in Sylvie Cachay's (CASH'-ay) Dec. 9 death.

The 24-year-old Brooks was initially charged with attempted murder and strangulation. Court records show he has since been indicted on a murder charge.

Brooks' lawyer has said Cachay was "absolutely fine" when Brooks last saw her at the SoHo House. It's an elite club and hotel.

Medical examiners say the 33-year-old Cachay was strangled and drowned.

Brooks's father is "You Light Up My Life" writer Joseph Brooks.