Editorial:

In its own sad way, it came as a sigh of relief.

The news this week that a man had been arrested in the case of Dane Williams, the Huntington Beach resident who disappeared during a convention in San Diego nearly two years ago and was found dead in an alley three days later, at least pointed to a possibility of closure in one of Southern California’s most baffling tragedies in recent years.

The key word, of course, is “possibility.” Philong Huynh, the man charged with Williams’ murder and sexual assault, pleaded not guilty Tuesday, and he may well prove to be innocent. If he is, we hope the real killer is brought to justice quickly. One way or another, we want to see this case laid to rest after 20 months of maddening uncertainty.

The basic facts: Williams, a marketing intern for the surf clothing company Hurley International, left the Hard Rock Cafe about 2 a.m. Jan. 26, 2008, and surveillance cameras indicated he was walking erratically. Three days later, his body was found in an alley several miles away wrapped in a blanket. Hurley offered a monetary reward for information on Williams’ death, and a poster asking for leads in the case became a familiar sight at Orange County bus stops.

The events between his departure from Hard Rock Cafe and the discovery of his body remained shrouded in mystery. Even if Huynh or someone else is convicted, the full story may never be known.

But there is at least some consolation in knowing the truth. And there will be consolation in knowing that the killer of a promising young man is in the hands of authorities.