New York ( CNN ) -- A man arrested in connection with the death of 28-year-old Betty Williams , whose body was found in a suitcase , has confessed to bludgeoning her with a frying pan and strangling her with an electrical cord , authorities said Tuesday . Hassan Malik , 55 , was arraigned Tuesday on one count of second-degree murder , according to Manhattan District Attorney spokeswoman Joan Vollero . Malik said he was acting in self-defense , Vollero said . Shortly after Williams ' body was discovered , police released a surveillance video that showed a man dressed in a dark knit hat and leather jacket , pulling a suitcase that contained Williams ' body near a stoop in East Harlem , New York . Malik originally told police that he found Williams dead inside his apartment , but later he recanted the statement and confessed , according to the criminal complaint . As police were leading Malik away , a reporter asked , `` Are you sorry for what you did ? '' `` Yes , '' he replied . The New York Medical Examiner 's office said Williams had suffered , among other injuries , blunt force trauma to her head and asphyxiation , the complaint said . Malik was being held on $ 100,000 bail and is set to appear in court Thursday , Vollero said . If convicted , he could face 25 years to life in prison . CNN 's Kristen Hamill contributed to this report .
NEW : Man has confessed in death of woman found in suitcase , authorities say . Comment: Hassan Malik , 55 , was arraigned Tuesday on a count of second-degree murder . NEW : Malik said he was acting in self-defense , DA spokeswoman says . DA spokeswoman : He admitted bludgeoning and strangling Betty Williams 28 .