Warren, Michigan — The search continues for Ashley Elkins, a beloved local hairstylist and mother of two, who vanished without a trace on January 2nd. Nearly six months later, her family fears the worst: that Ashley was murdered, and her ex-boyfriend is responsible.
Ashley’s family describes her as a radiant, dependable presence—someone everyone turned to in times of trouble.
“She brought joy into every room,” said her sister, Alexis Elkins, holding back tears. “She’s my best friend. A great big sister.”
Ashley was last heard from on the day after New Year’s. She told her sister she was heading out to a local beauty supply store for her business. Then, silence.
Her mother, Monica Elkins, recalls receiving an eerie text from Ashley’s phone after having a troubling dream about her daughter’s car being stolen. Monica wasn’t convinced Ashley wrote the text herself. That same afternoon, Ashley’s location stopped sharing on their phones. The last known location? The home of her ex-boyfriend, DeAndre Booker.
The family grew concerned and began calling Ashley's phone repeatedly, to no avail. DeAndre, once thought to be a kind and respectful partner, had recently been acting erratically. Days before her disappearance, he reportedly booked a hair appointment under a fake name through Ashley’s business website—then showed up at her door.
As hours turned into days with no word, Ashley’s mother began searching on her own. “I couldn't wait on police. I rode around all night, checking businesses and driveways, searching for her.”
The family contacted Ashley’s uncle, Maurice Morton, a former prosecutor, to help push the case into the public eye. Despite their efforts, it took nearly a week before police alerted the media.
Eventually, investigators focused in on DeAndre Booker. Ashley’s vehicle was found abandoned just a few miles from his apartment. Then, police began searching his home and removed a dumpster from the property. According to Morton, police recovered a significant amount of potential evidence—including possible blood—from both the apartment and the dumpster.
Booker was arrested shortly afterward, charged with lying to police and giving misleading information about Ashley’s disappearance. Investigators say digital evidence from his phone revealed disturbing searches, such as “is blood traceable,” “how to beat a polygraph,” and “how to disappear completely.” He had also purchased bleach, gloves, and trash bags.
At his bond hearing, the judge denied a request to lower Booker’s $250,000 cash bond, citing him as a flight risk. “He shows no remorse,” said one family member. “And he’s not the same person we thought we knew.”
Authorities now believe Ashley was murdered inside Booker’s apartment and that her body was discarded in a landfill in northern Macomb County. Despite exhaustive searches, Ashley's body has not yet been found.
“He threw my daughter away like trash,” said Monica Elkins, tearfully. “Like she was nothing. That hurts the most.”
Ashley’s family remains determined to find justice.
“I’ll fight to my last breath,” her mother said. “Her name will not be in vain. She will be remembered.”
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