By Peter Schworm Globe Staff

LYNN -- Nearly five years after he found his daughter dead in her bedroom with a plastic bag over her head, a stone-faced Stephen Rizzo watched today as the man whom authorities now allege killed Lara A. Rizzo appeared in court for the first time to face murder charges.

Joshua J. Rivera pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Lynn District Court and was ordered held without bail. The 27-year-old Rivera did not speak during the brief court proceeding.

Rivera was linked to the crime through fingerprints found on the plastic bag and DNA evidence recovered from under Rizzo’s fingernails, authorities said.

After the arraignment, Rizzo’s parents declined to speak to the media. The 27-year-old woman was described as an animal lover and a graduate of a local beauty school in a death notice published in 2007.

Kelly DeJesus, a long-time friend of Rizzo, said she was stunned to learn that someone had been charged with the killing after so many years had passed.

“I’m in shock,’’ said DeJesus as she wiped tears from her eyes. “I didn’t think it was going to come. It was shocking for it to be here, and to hear the details.’’

According to a State Police report filed in court, police were called to 18 Brookvale St. in Lynn about 8 a.m. on Aug. 26, 2007 by Stephen Rizzo, who had gone into his daughter’s bedroom to check on her — and discovered her corpse.

“When Mr. Rizzo initially found Lara, her head was covered by a plastic bag,’’ Trooper Anthony Schena wrote in the report. “Mr. Rizzo reported to officers on the scene that he removed the bag from her head immediately upon finding her.’’

The elder Rizzo then called police.