Corpse doesn’t appear killed

Police continued to investigate Friday what transpired in the room tucked at the end of a long hall at the posh Fairmont Newport Beach hotel, where a narcotics investigation led them to a large container filled with dry ice and an unidentified woman’s body.

The Orange County Coroner’s Office said it does not appear the woman, who was in her 20s or 30s, was slain, but investigators have not ruled it out, authorities said. A toxicology test to determine what was in her blood system is pending.

Thursday night Newport Beach police arrested the room’s registrant, Stephen Royds, 46, of Newport Beach, on suspicion of selling cocaine, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Officers used a warrant to enter his room about midnight, he said.

Investigators found a substance resembling narcotics and the large, plastic storage container filled with dry ice and the woman’s clothed, “well-preserved” body, Sailor said.

Friday afternoon, the room was set apart only with a small, red piece police tape across the door seal reading “Evidence” with a “Do Not Disturb” placard hanging from the door handle. Some employees inside the swanky hotel with marble floors, baths and plasma TV at 4500 MacArthur Blvd. hadn’t heard of the police investigation.

People staying in the adjacent rooms were moved to another floor, said Fairmont Hotels regional spokeswoman Michelle Heston.

Management informed hotel staff about the police investigation, and they are fully cooperating with police, Heston said.

Police have not been able to identify the woman, and officials are investigating whether Royds was involved in her death. Authorities will continue to question Royds on Sunday, Sailor said. Royds is in custody at Orange County Jail. His bail has been set at $30,000.

Anyone with information about the death is urged to call Newport Beach police at (800) 550-6273.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected]. JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].