Police in New Orleans say they have arrested Benjamin Beale, 34, also known as Kelley Kirkpatrick, after a search of his home revealed what is described as human remains found in a freezer at his upper Ninth Ward home.
An NOPD report says, “On Tuesday, January 11th, 2022, at 11:51 a.m., Fifth District officers arrived at a residence in the 2200 block of Pauline Street to execute a search warrant related to a missing person investigation. The report was filed on December 23, 2021.”
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators met with Beale at the residence.
When police searched Beale’s home they found what appeared to be a headless torso in a freezer inside a bus in Beale’s backyard and a power reciprocating saw was found with what is believed to be bits of flesh and human fluid on the blade. A plastic facemask, goggles and garbage bags were found near the freezer inside the bus.
Beale was transported to NOPD Headquarters for questioning but refused to provide a statement or cooperate with their investigation.
At that point, investigators sought an arrest warrant and booked Beale for obstruction of justice of a death investigation among other gun and drug charges including operating a clandestine drug lab.
Detectives first questioned Beale last week, about the disappearance of his girlfriend Julia Dardar.
Dardar was reported missing by her estranged husband, Micah Dardar, on Dec. 23 says the news outlet.
A GoFundme.com account set up by Dardar asks for donations because she was struck on West Coast with no way to get home to New Orleans. In the GoFundMe Dardar said, “I'm now stuck on the West Coast with no funds to get home. I am 1800 miles from home. I need fuel, food and shelter. Although, I have been sleeping in my car and hitting up food banks in order to get by.” On October 8, Dardar updated donors on her situation, saying she raised the money needed and will be returning home.
Related
Beale, also has a GoFundme account asking for help in rebuilding the dilapidated bus he inherited from a friend. It is not confirmed at this time if the bus where police found the remains in a freezer is the same bus in Beale's GoFundMe.
Although authorities have not said the remains found is that of Dardar, investigators are working to identify the human remains.
