A Southern California man who owed a couple $80,000 is accused of killing them and setting their bodies on fire in a vicious plot to avoid paying up.

A Los Angeles-area man who officials say killed a couple and burned their bodies and vehicles has been charged with murder, kidnapping, arson and burglary.

A Glendale man has been accused of killing a Brea couple before burning their bodies and their cars in October. Prosecutors say that he owed them $80,000.

Huangting Gong was charged earlier this week with two felony counts of murder, one felony count of kidnapping, two felony counts of arson of property, and two felony counts of first-degree burglary in connection with the slayings.

If convicted, Huangting Gong is eligible for a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty