East Alabama man charged with murdering, mutilating pregnant girlfriend

Macon County, Alabama (WRBL) – A Montgomery man has been charged with two counts of heinous murder for allegedly murdering his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn child, then burning and dismembering the body.

The decapitated, armless body of 39-year-old Jessica Bean was found on County Route 2 and Cross Keys Road in Shorter on February 10.

Investigators said Bean, who was five months pregnant, was kidnapped, shot and burned. Investigators said that in an attempt to cover up her body, 29-year-old Darien Kennebrew used a shovel to decapitate him and amputate both of his arms. Kennebrew’s alleged accomplice, 25-year-old Desirea Driscoll, was also arrested and charged with a secret murder. She worked with detectives to help find Bean’s body and the alleged murder weapon.

Investigators say Kennebrew used a trash can to dispose of the body parts, which are believed to have been crushed when the trash was later dumped in a landfill.

Investigators say cellphone records confirm that Kennebrew and Bean were together at various locations involved in a large-scale crime scene on the night they disappeared and were killed.

Loved ones, including Bean’s daughter, appeared in court during Kennebrew’s probable cause hearing.

“She was very caring and loving to the children and would do anything for them. She was very tolerant of anything anyone did. She was my best friend and I will always love her, miss her with every breath and always seek justice,” Bean’s family said in a statement.

A judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to send Mr. Ké Kennebrew’s case to a grand jury to consider formal indictment. Both defendants remain in prison without bail. Kennebrew’s attorney has not issued a statement.