Ashley Elkins, a Hairstylist and Mom of Two, Disappeared Almost a Month Ago. Her Ex-Boyfriend Was Just Charged with Murder

Mar. 15, 2025

DeAndre Booker (left); Ashley Elkins.Photo:Roseville Police Department; MissingPeopleInAmerica.org

Roseville Police Department; MissingPeopleInAmerica.org

A man who allegedly lied to police during their investigation of his missing ex-girlfriendAshley Elkinshas now been charged with murder.

Now, Booker has been charged with premeditated murder; evidence tampering; dismembering and mutilation of a corpse; and concealing a death, theMacomb County Prosecutor’s Officeannounced. Elkins’ body has not been found.

Investigators learned Elkins went to Booker’s home on Jan. 2 where they allege Booker killed her and then disposed of her body, Macomb County authorities said in a Jan. 31 statement.

During their search of Booker’s home, Roseville police claim to have recovered items indicatingElkins met a “crime of violence"in the residence, Warren Police Department Lt. John Gajewski told PEOPLE.

In mid-January, Roseville police launched adays-long search of a landfillas part of their investigation, but the search did not garner much information.

Ashley Elkins and her 2 sons.Alexis Elkins

Alexis Elkins

At a vigil last weekend, her friends and family “lit up the sky with candles, phone lights, and a flurry of emerald and purple balloons” in her honor, they wrote in an update in the fundraiser.

“We will love her forever and never give up finding her. For her two beautiful young sons, your donations are so very much appreciated. They will fuel the fire that ignites their dreams and helps them achieve their future goals,” read the update.

Elkins' sons, a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old areprocessing her disappearance in different ways.

Her 7-year-old son, who according to Elkins' mother is on the autism spectrum, “doesn’t understand” why his mom won’t come home.

“He still thinks mom’s coming home every, every day. He’s like, ‘Where’s mom? Where’s mom?'” Elkins’ uncle Maurice Morton told PEOPLE.

Elkins' 10-year-old son has nightmares everyday, Morton said.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

On Friday, in a statement to PEOPLE, Morton said their family welcomes this next step from the prosecutor’s office.

“The family is pleased that murder charges have been filed against DeAndre Booker,” Morton said. “Though this alone won’t provide closure, it will begin our journey to justice.”

Plea and attorney information for Booker were not immediately available.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com