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Man charged with murder after making critical suitcase mistake

WARNING - DISTURBING DETAILS: Police have charged a man with murder after luggage tags which reportedly had his name on them were found on two large suitcases containing human remains.

The Denver Police Department said Benjamin David Satterthwaite, 28, was arrested Friday (local time) on murder charges and is currently being held without bail.

According to a media release police believe Satterthwaite murdered 33-year-old Joshua Lockard and dismembered his corpse, before allegedly placing portions of the corpse in two separate suitcases.

He then reportedly made the critical error of failing to remove luggage tags bearing his name from the bags, the New York Post has reported.

Benjamin David Satterthwaite's mug shot (left) after he was arrested after a dismembered body was found in two suitcases (right)
Benjamin David Satterthwaite (left) was arrested after a dismembered body was found in two suitcases (right) with his name tag on them. Source: Denver DA/KMGH

Authorities say crews were plowing snow from the sidewalk in the residential area of Sanderson Gulch on December 29 when they discovered the suitcases, one with a human foot sticking out of it.

Evidence found at scene of medical emergency

Police were then called to a medical emergency on January 1 at a nearby apartment where they allegedly found evidence and a crime scene consistent with the homicide case.

A police report states officers found excessive amounts of blood on a lounge, in the bathroom and bathtub as well as a bloody saw blade Satterthwaite had allegedly purchased from US department store Wallmart on December 27.

At the time, Satterthwaite was found in the apartment unconscious, allegedly from a drug overdose, lying next to a woman who had died of an apparent drug overdose.

Satterthwaite was arrested upon further investigation. Police believe the two men knew each other.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

with AP

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