Investigators are searching for a landfill for a Michigan mother who went missing 10 days ago
Police searching for missing Michigan mother of two, Ashley Elkins, are looking for evidence in connection with her disappearance from a landfill, Fox 2 Detroit reports, referring to police sources.
Elkins, 30, from Warrenshe was last seen on January 2 and disappeared while running errands and texting her family members that she was returning from a beauty supply store.
Her ex-boyfriend, Deandre Howard Booker, 32, was arrested after fleeing to Flint and charged with lying to police during a violent crime investigation, which carries a four-year sentence, according to the Macomb County District Attorney’s Office.
Ashley Elkins, a missing mother of two, has been missing since January 2nd. Police searched the dump site on Monday as part of their investigation. (Warren Police)
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Investigators in yellow suits spent more than six hours Monday searching the Pine Tree Acres Landfill in the Lenox Township Landfill near 29 Mile in northern Macomb County, the Detroit News reported. Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin said officers concentrated their search on about six to seven acres inside the landfill, according to the publication.
He said the search is moving in the right direction and he is confident they will find the evidence they are looking for.
Elkins family members say her disappearance is out of character and that no one has heard from her since Jan. 2. They said her phone last pinged near her ex’s Roseville apartment, according to Fox 2.
Last Tuesday, January 7, police found her car in the area of 13 Mile and Little Mack in Roseville, less than four miles from her apartment. On the same night, her ex’s apartment was searched, and he was arrested the next day.
Police searched several area businesses for video and used digital forensics to help determine where Elkins might be. The police too they said that as part of the investigation, they seized a garbage container from the apartments.
Elkins and Booker broke up in September after dating for about a year, Elkins’ mother told reporters, according to the Macomb Daily.
Deandre Howard Booker, 32, was arrested after fleeing to Flint and is accused of lying to police during the investigation into Elkins’ disappearance. (Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office)
Maurice Morton, an attorney who is Elkins’ aunt, told Fox 2 that the family suspects Booker had something to do with her disappearance and that police have reason to believe where her remains are.
Booker was charged Roseville District Court on Jan. 9 and the judge set bail at $250,000.00 cash/surety only.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a statement that Booker repeatedly lied to officers from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7 and intentionally provided false and misleading information in the investigation into Elkins’ disappearance.
“Our hearts are with the family missing woman during this difficult time,” Lucido said. “Providing false information to police in a case like this not only hinders the investigation, but adds additional pain and uncertainty for loved ones who are searching for answers. We remain committed to seeking justice and ensuring that every effort is made to resolve this case.”
During Booker’s trial, his lawyer said his client was unemployed and asked for reasonable bail
Prosecutors said Boooker sought the fastest routes to Ohio and is accused of planning to leave the state. Prosecutors also said his research also included what to do while on the run, how to beat a polygraph test, how to delete your Google search history and whether blood can be traced.
Investigators searched the Pine Tree Acres landfill, pictured in 2019, on Monday. (Google Maps)
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Prosecutors argued that these searches suggested Booker would flee if he was released on bail. On Thursday, his bail was set at $250,000 cash/surety.
Booker previously served in the United States Army, but was discharged with a less-than-honorable discharge after being released in 2017, Fox 2 Detroit reported, citing court documents. It came after he was charged with several crimes while on duty the year before, including theft and possession of false identification documents.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22 via Zoom, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29.
