INDIANAPOLIS -- Marion County prosecutor Carl Brizzi is not ruling out seeking the death penalty for a man who police said admitted killing and dismembering his estranged girlfriend.

Joshua Bean, 23, made his initial court appearance Friday, when a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

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Images: Police Say Woman Stabbed, Dismembered

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Bean is charged with murder following the disappearance and death of Heather Norris, 20. Police said Bean stabbed Norris, used a chainsaw to cut up her remains and dumped the remains in trash bins on the city's south side.

Neighbors keep candles burning outside the home where police said Norris was killed.

Norris' family is grieving their loss, but were glad to see Bean in court preparing to pay for his alleged crimes.

"They're still going through many emotions over this, including anger and grief and tears," said Indianapolis Metro police Lt. Teresa Deal, Norris' cousin. "They're simply still unable to really fathom what this has done."

Brizzi left the courtroom confident that his team has a strong case despite having little evidence.

"We have a strong circumstantial case. We have good physical evidence. We have a confession, so we're going to continue to explore every opportunity," Brizzi said.

Police are still looking for Norris' remains.