GENTNA, La. – A woman arrested in connection with the death and dismemberment of a Louisiana dancer, whose body parts washed ashore on the Mississippi coast in 2012, has pleaded not guilty.
Margaret Sanchez, 30, is charged with second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice in the death of Jaren Lockhart, 22. Sanchez remains at the Jefferson Parish jail on a $1.5 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court again October 15,
A second suspect, Tracy Speaks, 41, faces the same charges and is being held in a federal prison for an unrelated crime.
The Hancock County, Mississippi sheriff’s office initially led the investigation into Lockhart’s death; but turned the case over to Louisiana police earlier this year.
