ARVADA COLORADO, A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to tampering with a deceased human body in connection with the death of a 29-year-old woman.
Daniel Ryan Clark entered a guilty plea in the case involving Chelsea Beadles, whose body was discovered on September 15 near a dumpster at The Perch on 52nd apartment complex in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. According to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, a maintenance worker located her remains inside a plastic tote bin covered with bedding.
Authorities reported that the body showed numerous injuries. Investigators used cellphone data and social media records to determine that Beadles had been with Clark in the hours before her death. Additional evidence reportedly linked Clark to the tote bin and bedding.
However, Clark was not charged with murder because the medical examiner was unable to determine a cause and manner of death. The coroner ruled the cause and manner of death as “undetermined,” noting that while there was no clear evidence of significant trauma, a traumatic cause could not be definitively excluded due to unclear circumstances.
Investigators stated they were unable to establish exactly how Beadles died or whether anyone was criminally responsible for her death.
During sentencing, Beadles’ mother addressed the court, describing her daughter as a “sweet soul” and expressing anguish over the circumstances of her body being found.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brenna Zortman acknowledged the emotional weight of the case, stating that the sentence may feel inadequate given the circumstances.
Clark told the court he was taking responsibility for his actions related to the handling of the body but denied causing Beadles’ death. According to an arrest affidavit cited by local media, Clark told authorities that Beadles had left his apartment after a phone argument earlier that day. He also reportedly said he did not remember key events due to drug use.
As part of the plea agreement, a charge of tampering with physical evidence was dismissed. The sentencing range for tampering with a deceased human body carries a possible term of four to 12 years. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to a 10-year sentence, which the judge imposed.
The case has concluded with the plea agreement, though questions surrounding the exact cause of Beadles’ death remain unresolved.
