First-degree murder charges have been filed against 32-year-old De'Andre Booker in the case of Ashley Elkins, a missing mother of two from the Detroit area. Despite the absence of her body, Booker is set to face these charges today, as reported by CBS News Detroit.
According to statements obtained by ClickOnDetroit, family spokesperson Maurice Morton expressed relief at the charges being laid, hoping for justice for Elkins.
Investigations unearthed DNA evidence which played a pivotal role in the development of the case. Morton, who represents the family, acknowledged the long-standing concerns regarding whether Booker would be held accountable for Elkins' disappearance. "I have to admit as more time passed, a lot of family members were concerned. Will he ever get charged with murder? Was he going to get away with this," he told CBS News Detroit.
Previous to the murder charge, law enforcement officials confirmed to FOX 2 Detroit that Booker was already in custody for misinformation during the investigation.
Elkins was last seen on January 2, after informing her family that she was running errands. Her abrupt disappearance raised immediate suspicions about Booker, and this led her family to alert the authorities. As per ClickOnDetroit, the prosecutors seem confident in the evidence, which was strong enough to support a first-degree murder charge. Elkins' family has high hopes for justice as they plan to attend the arraignment set for today.
The search for Elkins included a thorough examination of Booker's apartment and a dumpster nearby. The Roseville Police and other agencies also conducted an intensive search of a landfill in Lenox Township, opting for a meticulous combing through the garbage, though to no avail. Notwithstanding the results of the search, Booker's actions following Elkins' disappearance point to a possible intention to escape. He allegedly researched how to evade capture, tamper with a polygraph, and remove his search history, "There is substantial evidence collected at the ex-boyfriend's home, which leads us to believe that Ashley was murdered," Elkins' family said in a statement provided to FOX 2 Detroit.
With the formal charges approaching, the Macomb County officials have announced a press conference to follow the arraignment, where further details of the case may be disclosed, according to information shared by FOX 2 Detroit.
