A murder defendant accused of dismembering his alleged victim was ordered Thursday by Circuit Judge Karen Ahn to remain in custody pending trial without the opportunity for release on bail. 

Bryan Suitt, 46, is charged with killing 34-year-old Alex Gonzales, whose remains were found scattered off both sides of Mili?lani Memorial Park Road in September. Suitt has been in custody since his arrest in December in Cali?for?nia. His bail was $5 million.

Deputy Prosecutor Scott Bell asked the court to either deny Suitt bail or to increase it. He told Ahn on Thursday that if Suitt is able to post bail, authorities might never see him again. 

“The defendant resided in San Diego County, which is in close proximity to Mexico,” Bell said. “The prosecution is fearful that if allowed to make bail, he may flee not only this jurisdiction, but the United States.”

He said police have information that two days after Gonzales’ remains were found Sept. 15, Suitt boarded a flight in Hono?lulu bound for San Diego.

Ahn agreed that Suitt would pose a risk of flight if he were to make bail. She asked Bell, “You believe he might be able to make bail?”

Bell said authorities have information that Suitt comes from a wealthy family.

U.S. Marshals Service deputies arrested Suitt at his parents’ home in Coronado, an affluent resort island city across San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego.

Deputy Public Defender Lee Hayakawa said Suitt wasn’t trying to evade capture.

“He was at a known address,” Hayakawa said. “Of course, the address belongs to his parents. But he wasn’t hiding out.”

Ahn said that because Suitt is charged with a serious crime, “there’s a serious risk that if he can make bail, he may be motivated and may have the financial means to flee the jurisdiction to any of a number of unknown points in this world. He’s left the jurisdiction once.”

Suitt’s trial had been scheduled for next month. After talking to both sides and Suitt, Ahn rescheduled the trial to January.