Okay, let’s defrost this chilly tale from the Big Easy.
Big Easy Chill: Headless Body Found in Freezer Leads to Arrest
Things took a dark turn on Pauline Street in New Orleans when police, acting on a missing person report, uncovered more than they bargained for. A local man is now behind bars after a gruesome discovery involving an old bus, a freezer, and human remains.
The Tip-Off and the Warrant
The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) arrived at the residence of 34-year-old Benjamin J. Beale on Tuesday, armed with a search warrant. Their visit was prompted by the disappearance of Julia Dardar, who hadn’t been seen since November and was officially reported missing by her children just before Christmas.
Backyard Discovery: More Than Just Junk
While searching Beale’s property, officers zeroed in on an old blue bus parked in the backyard. Inside, they found a freezer. What lay within wasn’t leftover groceries; NOPD officers discovered what they initially termed “what appeared to be human remains” – later confirmed by police sources (reported via WDSU) to be a headless female torso. Further searching revealed other body parts, tidily wrapped in plastic. An electric saw found at the residence was also taken into evidence, adding another grim layer to the scene. Adding to the peculiar atmosphere, another bus, this one white with a red eye spray-painted onto its windshield, sat nearby.
From Missing Person to Macabre Find
While official confirmation awaits the coroner’s report, authorities strongly suspect the remains belong to the missing Julia Dardar. Adding weight to this theory, WDSU reported that a safe seized from Beale’s bedroom contained identification and credit cards belonging to the victim.
Complicating Factors: A Makeshift Lab
The plot thickened, quite literally, with the discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine lab within Beale’s home. Police reportedly found the typical volatile ingredients: kerosene, propane, acetone, glassware containing white residue, and a Coleman grill. This discovery not only added drug charges but also created hazardous conditions, delaying a full homicide investigation and requiring the assistance of the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division. Neighbors later mentioned that police had canvassed the area the previous Sunday, inquiring about any strange smells emanating from the property.
Charges and Silence
Following the discoveries, Beale was taken into custody. He reportedly opted for silence, declining to cooperate with investigators or answer questions about the body or the lab. While the investigation into the death is clearly ongoing, Beale was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail late Tuesday night. According to jail records, his current charges include obstruction of justice in a death investigation, operating a clandestine drug lab, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, and illegal carrying of a weapon. Notably, as of the initial reports, homicide charges had not been filed, pending the outcome of the autopsy and further investigation.
Bibliography (Sources related to the case):
- The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate (NOLA.com): https://www.nola.com/news/courts/benjamin-beale-pleads-not-guilty-to-killing-dismembering-julia-dardar/article_b6829afa-d60d-11ec-93d8-1f41c83178a7.html
- WDSU News (NBC Affiliate): https://www.wdshttps://www.wdsu.com/search?q=benjamin+beale
- WVUE FOX 8 (FOX Affiliate):https://www.fox8live.com/video/2023/07/18/hearing-scheduled-benjamin-beale-accused-strangling-dismembering-woman/
- WBRZ News 2 (ABC Affiliate): https://www.wbrz.com/
- WWL-TV (CBS Affiliate): https://www.wwltv.com/
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