Bail has been set at $1.4 million for a Louisiana man who reportedly found a headless torso found at his home last week.

Orleans Parish Magistrate Commissioner Albert Thibodeaux increased Benjamin Beale’s bail from $400,000 after evidence surfaced that he beat and strangled girlfriend Julia Dardar, 36, before dismembering her body with a power saw. Despite the high bail, a source told WWL that Beale’s parents are wealthy and Beale has a violent past.

The source also said that people who have reported Beale’s past crimes are especially at risk if he is released — which could happen as early as this week.

On January 11, New Orleans police searching Beale’s home reportedly discovered Dardar’s headless torso in a deep freezer on his property. The freezer was located in a bus in Beale’s backyard.

The torso was reportedly close to a reciprocating saw that had fluids and flesh on the blade. Detectives said goggles, garbage bags, and a face shield were also near the torso.

Authorities also suspect Beale was operating a methamphetamine lab at his New Orleans home. Beale was arrested after he allegedly refused to answer questions about the human remains found on his property.

Dardar’s estranged husband reported her missing on December 23. He told police that Dardar was experiencing mental health and addiction issues at the time she disappeared, according to WKRG.

Both Dardar’s estranged husband and the source who spoke with WWL said Beale has threatened a lot of people.

Upon learning of Beale’s arrest, a woman who was briefly married to him in March 2021 told police that Beale threatened to cut her “into pieces” like Dexter (a fictional vigilante who kills and dismembers his victims) after she left him, according to The Times-Picayune.

Beale was initially arrested on charges of obstruction of justice, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of controlled dangerous substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and creating or operating a clandestine drug lab.

He was formally charged with Dardar’s second-degree murder on Friday.

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[Featured image: Benjamin Beale/Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office; Julia Dardar/Facebook]

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