HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — A sex offender who was convicted in the murder of an Orange County nursing student was back in jail Tuesday on a parole violation, Los Angeles police said.

John Steve Burgess, 42, was arrested at his apartment in the 5500 block of Barton Avenue Monday night for possession of ammunition, said officials.

Burgess was taken into custody after two women, who responded to a Craigslist ad for free rent in exchange for cooking and cleaning, contacted authorities out of concern.

Burgess was released from prison in December after serving less than half of his sentence for the 2007 murder of 19-year-old Donn Jou, a San Diego State University student.

Burgess met Jou on Craigslist through an ad offering math tutoring. Jou overdosed on cocaine, heroin and alcohol at his rented home in Palms. Burgess panicked and dumped her body in the Pacific Ocean, according to police.

Jou’s mother says the two women are lucky to be alive, KNX 1070′s John Brooks reported.

“Thank God that they got out, they found out about him. These two ladies saw his name and Googled it, and Donna — Donna’s story came up,” Nili Jou said.

He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Jou’s body has never been found.

Burgess is being held at the Hollywood LAPD station without bail.