New Orleans man arrested after girlfriend’s decapitated body found in freezer
01/12/2022 11:44 am PST
NEW ORLEANS (TCD) -- A 34-year-old man was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 11, after the remains of his missing girlfriend were reportedly found on his property.
According to the New Orleans Advocate, Benjamin Beale was questioned about his girlfriend, Julia Dardar, 36, and her disappearance. Beale reportedly told authorities he believed Dardar took her own life or overdosed on drugs. According to WDSU-TV, Dardar had been missing since November 2021.
The New Orleans Advocate reports that just six days later, police discovered a headless torso inside the freezer of a bus parked in the backyard of Beale’s home, along with a machine-powered saw with apparent flesh and fluids on the blade. WDSU reports that along with the torso, many of the dismembered body parts were wrapped in plastic. The torso was reportedly identified and confirmed to have belonged to Dardar.
Beale was reportedly arrested and charged with obstruction of justice for refusing to answer questions about Dardar’s body. He has not been charged with anything directly related to her death yet. According to WVUE-TV, Beale faces additional charges, including illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of controlled dangerous substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and two counts of creating/operating a clandestine drug lab.
Beale, who also goes by the name Kelley Kirkpatrick, was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Jan. 12, to determine bond.
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