New Orleans police said a man who refused to comply with their investigation into a death at the 9th Ward has been arrested. An investigation warrant for obstruction of justice was issued and executed for 34-year-old Benjamin Beale in the house where a dismembered body was found. His bail was set at $450,000. Beale reportedly had no criminal record prior to his arrest. Beale was not charged with murder in the case. Affidavit Results: According to a court affidavit, the NOPD arrived at Beale on Tuesday in relation to a missing persons report. Court documents identified the missing person as Julia Dardar. According to the affidavit, Julia Dardar’s ex-husband Micah Dardar reported her missing to the NOPD in December. Micah Dardar told police she had moved in with Beale. The affidavit said Beale told police he and Dardar were having relationship issues and allowed the NOPD to conduct a search of his property when they found a freezer containing the remains of a woman. Court documents said a saber saw containing meat and liquid was found inside the freezer along with a head and torso. According to the affidavit, deep lacerations were found on the body’s shoulder and arms, which police believe were inflicted postmortem. Police say they also found a face shield, goggles and garbage bags next to the freezer. When police attempted to search the rest of his belongings, detectives found what they called a secret meth lab in a freezer along with items including kerosene, glass bowls of white powder, propane, a Coleman grill, and acetone. Court records show detectives were unable to complete a full murder investigation due to the dangerous conditions in the home, and called on the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division to help. A black safe was also found in the house in Beale’s bedroom closet. NOPD said Beale gave the keys to detectives and found inside a bi-fold wallet, a plush turtle purse, mushrooms and the victim’s ID and credit cards, according to the affidavit. The affidavit showed that NOPD had booked Beale on multiple drug offenses as well as obstruction of justice in relation to the missing persons case. Earlier reports: Neighbors along Pauline Street in the 9th Precinct said they were shocked by what unfolded in the area on Tuesday. NOPD and SWAT teams were at a house in the area for hours. NOPD police sources confirm to WDSU that the body of a woman missing since November was found on a bus next to a house on the 2200 block of Pauline Street. According to police, the body was severely dismembered. NOPD sources said her head was chopped off and many of her body parts were wrapped in plastic. They were found in the bus freezer. Beale was taken to NOPD headquarters for questioning. He refused to testify. He was booked into Orleans Parish Jail Tuesday night on a charge of obstructing justice, jail records said. WDSU was there first. They spoke to residents in the area, who describe the street as quiet. They said police were in the area last Sunday and asked if they smelled anything. Days later, when they found out why, they said it was a lot to digest. “It’s sad. I’m really sorry for the loss of her family The fact that it happened next door is unbelievable. I can’t believe it,” Tracey Pearson said. NOPD has not yet released the victim’s name.
NEW ORLEANS —
New Orleans police said a man who refused to comply with their investigation into a death at the 9th Ward has been arrested.
An investigation warrant for obstruction of justice was issued and executed for 34-year-old Benjamin Beale in the house where a dismembered body was found.
His bail was set at $450,000. Beale reportedly had no criminal record prior to his arrest.
Beale was not charged with murder in the case.
Affidavits:
The NOPD arrived at Beale on Tuesday in relation to a missing persons report, according to a court affidavit.
Court documents identified the missing person as Julia Dardar.
According to the affidavit, Julia Dardar’s ex-husband Micah Dardar reported her missing to the NOPD in December.
Micah Dardar told police she had moved in with Beale.
The affidavit said Beale told police he and Dardar were having relationship issues and allowed the NOPD to conduct a search of his property when they found a freezer containing the remains of a woman.
Court documents said a saber saw containing meat and liquid was found inside the freezer along with a head and torso. According to the affidavit, deep lacerations were found on the body’s shoulder and arms, which police believe were inflicted postmortem.
Police say they also found a face shield, goggles and garbage bags next to the freezer.
When police attempted to search the rest of his belongings, detectives found what they called a secret meth lab in a freezer along with items including kerosene, glass bowls of white powder, propane, a Coleman grill, and acetone.
Court records show detectives were unable to complete a full murder investigation due to the dangerous conditions in the home, and called on the Louisiana State Police Narcotics Division to help.
A black safe was also found in the house in Beale’s bedroom closet. NOPD said Beale gave the keys to detectives and found inside a bi-fold wallet, a plush turtle purse, mushrooms and the victim’s ID and credit cards, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit showed that NOPD had booked Beale on multiple drug offenses as well as obstruction of justice in relation to the missing persons case.
Previous reports:
Neighbors along Pauline Street in the 9th Precinct said they were shocked by what unfolded in the area on Tuesday. NOPD and SWAT teams stayed at a local shelter for hours.
NOPD police sources confirm to WDSU that the body of a woman missing since November was found on a bus next to a house on the 2200 block of Pauline Street.
According to police, the body was severely dismembered. NOPD sources said her head was chopped off and many of her body parts were wrapped in plastic. They were found in the bus freezer.
Beale was transported to NOPD headquarters for questioning. He refused to testify.
He was booked into Orleans Parish Jail Tuesday night on a charge of obstructing justice, jail records said.
WDSU was there first. They spoke to residents in the area, who describe the street as quiet. They said police were in the area last Sunday and asked if they smelled anything.
Days later, when they found out why, they said it was a lot to process.
“It’s sad. I am truly sorry for the loss of your family. The fact that it happened next door is unbelievable. I can’t believe it,” Tracey Pearson said.
NOPD has not yet released the victim’s name.
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