Two men arrested in the stabbing death of a Connecticut man whose body was found in Monmouth County are now charged with concealing a corpse and hindering prosecution.

James Rackover, of Manhattan, and Lawrence Dilione, of Jersey City, were arrested on charges that initially included murder. But they were arraigned on only the lesser charges.

Nonetheless, Assistant District Attorney Antoinette Carter alleged that "one or both of these people committed a murder" during a hearing late Thursday.

Authorities found a body in Oceanport on Wednesday while investigating the disappearance of Joseph Comunale of Stamford, Connecticut. The bound was found burned and buried in a shallow grave inside a suitcase. It is believed Comunale was killed after attending a party at a Manhattan luxury apartment with Rackover and Dilione.

Rackover's lawyer says the case has "serious problems" and will be "vigorously" contested.

Dilione's attorney did not immediately respond to request by the Associated Press for comment.