Denver man pleads guilty to killing, dismembering man found in 2 suitcases

DENVER (TCD) -- A 29-year-old man pleaded guilty this week to killing a 33-year-old whose dismembered body was found in two suitcases on a snowy street in December 2020.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann released a statement Thursday announcing Benjamin Satterthwaite entered a plea agreement to second-degree murder, which will bring a sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison.

Satterthwaite was charged in January with killing 33-year-old Joshua Lockard, the District Attorney wrote in a statement at the time. Lockard’s dismembered remains were discovered in two suitcases on the 1700 block of South Java Way on December 29, 2020, when city employees were plowing snow. Satterthwaite was initially charged with first-degree murder and tampering with a deceased human body.

McCann said in her statement, "We thank Mr. Lockard’s family for supporting our decision to accept Mr. Satterthwaite’s guilty plea. This was a horrific murder; however, the cause of Mr. Lockard’s death was never determined which makes his guilty plea and potential sentence length an appropriate outcome."

According to Satterthwaite’s arrest affidavit, one suitcase contained a torso wrapped in a black trash bag. The second suitcase held Lockard’s left leg and right upper thigh. This head, arms, and lower left leg were never located. Investigators believe he was dismembered after he died. The affidavit says Lockard’s cause of death was "not immediately apparent."

Lockard’s last known residence was reportedly at a sober living facility in Lakewood. After his body was found, the facility reportedly received an envelope with Lockard’s ID in it.

During their investigations, detectives reportedly found a tag with Satterthwaite’s name on the luggage. It was reportedly used on a United Airlines flight that arrived in Denver on December 21.

On December 27, Satterthwaite was believed to have purchased a hacksaw, saw blades, and cleaning equipment from Walmart, according to the affidavit.

KUSA reports that on January 1, Denver Police responded to an overdose call on South Federal Boulevard. One woman was dead and another man — later identified as Satterthwaite — was unconscious. The same homicide detective was working both cases and reportedly noticed a suitcase in the apartment that looked similar to the one in which Lockard’s body was found.

The District Attorney’s Office said Satterthwaite will be sentenced November 12.

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