DeAndre Booker, 32, of Roseville, Michigan, is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Elkins, whose body has not been found despite a widespread search.
Booker was arrested on January 8 and charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, disinterment and mutilation, and concealing a death, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Disappearance of Ashley Elkins
Elkins, a 30-year-old hairstylist and mother of two, was last seen on January 2, leaving her home in Warren, Michigan, to run errands. Authorities have not located Elkins’ body despite significant efforts to find her, leaving questions surrounding her disappearance.
Chilling Google Searches Uncovered
During a court appearance on August 8, Detective Chris Moran of the Roseville Police Department revealed that he discovered alarming Google searches on Booker’s phone. The searches appeared to connect him to the disappearance and possible murder of Elkins. Some of the searches included phrases such as:
“Telling god i want to kill someone”
“9mm silencer roseville”
“Shoot gun through pillow”
“Can you track location when phone is off”
“What happened to trash after its picked up”
These searches were presented as evidence by the prosecution, suggesting that Booker may have been preparing for or covering up the crime.
The Dumpster and Blood Evidence
The detective also testified about finding blood in a dumpster near Booker’s apartment, leading him to believe that Elkins’ body might have been discarded there.
According to Moran, the search query related to trash pickup was highly relevant, as it indicated that Booker might have been concerned about what happened to the body after it was disposed of.
Defense’s Response
Booker’s defense attorney, Robbie Lang, declined to comment on the significance of the internet searches, stating that he didn’t believe the searches directly proved his client’s guilt. He expressed skepticism about the relevance of these searches, suggesting that they did not necessarily indicate a crime.
Ongoing Investigation
The case continues to unfold, and the prosecution is focused on connecting Booker’s actions and online searches to the disappearance and death of Ashley Elkins.
With her body still missing, the legal proceedings are set to delve deeper into the evidence, including the disturbing Google searches that may offer crucial clues to Elkins’ fate.
