Franklin Benson, who is accused of murdering and dismembering his girlfriend, made his first appearance at the Newton County Judicial Center on Thursday for a bond hearing.

According to Chief Assistant District Attorney Layla Zon, Benson was denied his request for bond at the hearing.

Benson, 47, is charged with unlawfully removing human body parts from the scene of death, murder, felony murder and concealing death of another person.

He reportedly murdered and dismembered his girlfriend, Leslyan Williams, 49, of Decatur, at the end of October.

 Williams' hands, arms, feet and legs were discovered between the back of an unoccupied house and a small lake in a secluded neighborhood off Ga. Highway 212 early in the morning Oct. 30.

Newton County Sheriff's Lt. Bill Watterson said Benson was arrested after an extensive investigation revealed a link between Benson, Williams and the location where the body was discovered. Once the connection was made, investigators soon learned William's family had filed a missing person's report for the victim.

Williams name did not turn up in the initial investigation because her missing person's report was not filed until well after the suspected murder. Watterson said her family, who live in Michigan, last spoke to the victim the day before her body parts were discovered.

While the investigation is still ongoing, William's head and torso have still not been located.

Investigators are still searching for Williams' head and torso as well as the murder weapon. Anyone with information on either Williams or Benson is asked to call the GBI Tip Line at (800) 597-TIPS (8477) or the Newton County Sheriff's Office at (678) 625-1403. Tips may also be given anonymously at (678) 625-5007 or on their Web site www.newtonsheriffga.org