A Michigan man has been charged with murder after police allegedly recovered CCTV footage showing him pushing a trolley with what appeared to be an arm hanging out. The footage is central to the case against Deandre Booker, 33, who is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Elkins, a mother of two who vanished in January.
Elkins was last seen on 2 January from her home in Warren, near Detroit. Her family campaigned for police to investigate, leading to Booker's arrest. He was initially held in nearby Roseville and now faces charges including first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and concealing a death.
During a preliminary examination, Detective Chris Moran testified that security footage showed a man believed to be Booker pushing a cart toward a rubbish dumpster with an arm hanging out. Detective Patrick Taylor noted the man wore similar clothing to Booker: a dark coat with a fur hood, black pants with holes, a black hat, and black shoes with white soles.
Police searched Booker's home and found clothes matching those in the footage, including a dark fur coat with a faded area that reportedly showed dried blood. Lieutenant John Gajewski said items recovered indicated Elkins had been a victim of a 'crime of violence.' Despite extensive searches, her body has not been found.
Elkins' family told People that on New Year's Eve, Booker allegedly visited her home salon under a false name, causing her to hide until he left. She disappeared shortly after. Booker remains in custody. For support, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.
