The family of a Bronx man who was found dead, duct taped and bound in an apartment last week, are getting ready to see the accused killer in court on Thursday.

On Friday, an odor coming out of 2323 Creston Ave. led police to discover Jason Nieves' body. Police found Nieves with his ankles bound to his waist.

Police say it was Charles Votaw's apartment and that he is the accused killer.

Henry Roman says he is Nieves' cousin, and that Votaw was a childhood friend.

Investigators say Votaw knocked Nieves to the ground unconscious after an argument and then duct taped his lower body, bound him up and slit his throat and wrists.

Nieves' cousin says the family is in complete shock and this just doesn't make sense.

"That's spooky you know, to know that someone you grew up with has that emptiness inside of them that no compassion at all to help someone who's dying," said Roman.

Votaw is expected in Bronx Criminal Court on Thursday and is facing first-degree assault with physical evidence and concealment of a human corpse.