LAS VEGAS —  Bodybuilding champions Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan have entered last-minute guilty pleas in connection with the murder of the couple's personal assistant.

Titus pleaded guilty late Friday to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James.

James' body was found in a torched luxury sedan in the desert outside Las Vegas in December 2005.

Ryan pleaded guilty to arson and battery with a deadly weapon with significant bodily harm.

Trial in the high-profile case was scheduled to begin Monday. Both were facing charges of murder with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping and third-degree arson.

Titus and Ryan are scheduled to be sentenced July 18.