Topline: Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted and was possibly taken against her will.
Published: December 4, 2024 3:06 pm ET
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Aaron Malone (Barry County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man after initially reporting his girlfriend missing, only for an investigation to reveal he could be responsible for her death.
According to a news release, Barry County Deputies responded to a residence in Exeter, Missouri, on Monday, November 25, after Aaron Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted. Malone told law enforcement that Lewis was possibly taken against her will, providing both verbal and written statements supporting his claim.
A criminal investigation into her disappearance was launched. However, investigators noticed “discrepancies” in Malone’s statements, police said.
The following day, November 26, Barry County Sheriff Boyd and Major Cole met with Malone to continue their efforts to locate Lewis. During this meeting, Malone said he would “take them to her.” He guided them to a wooded area near Shell Knob, where Lewis was found deceased.
Malone then admitted to having been involved in an altercation with Lewis and later disposing of her body. He was taken into custody.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities piece together the details of the case.
According to KTVI, court documents indicated that on-scene investigators saw a large blood stain in the roadway behind Malone’s truck, along with pieces of jewelry, during the initial response on Monday. Samples of the blood stain were taken and confirmed it was human blood.
Police say surveillance footage captured Malone’s vehicle arriving at Lewis’ residence just before midnight on Sunday, followed by the sound of screaming shortly after. The video then shows Malone leaving the property around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, only to return shortly after 4:00 a.m., according to court documents.
Before returning to Lewis’s home, Malone made a 911 call, according to authorities.
Investigators noted that the victim was discovered with significant head trauma.
Malone was arraigned in Barry County Court on Monday, December 1, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bond at the Stone County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted and was possibly taken against her will.
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Published: December 4, 2024 3:06 pm ET
Aaron Malone (Barry County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man after initially reporting his girlfriend missing, only for an investigation to reveal he could be responsible for her death.
According to a news release, Barry County Deputies responded to a residence in Exeter, Missouri, on Monday, November 25, after Aaron Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted. Malone told law enforcement that Lewis was possibly taken against her will, providing both verbal and written statements supporting his claim.
A criminal investigation into her disappearance was launched. However, investigators noticed “discrepancies” in Malone’s statements, police said.
The following day, November 26, Barry County Sheriff Boyd and Major Cole met with Malone to continue their efforts to locate Lewis. During this meeting, Malone said he would “take them to her.” He guided them to a wooded area near Shell Knob, where Lewis was found deceased.
Malone then admitted to having been involved in an altercation with Lewis and later disposing of her body. He was taken into custody.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities piece together the details of the case.
According to KTVI, court documents indicated that on-scene investigators saw a large blood stain in the roadway behind Malone’s truck, along with pieces of jewelry, during the initial response on Monday. Samples of the blood stain were taken and confirmed it was human blood.
Police say surveillance footage captured Malone’s vehicle arriving at Lewis’ residence just before midnight on Sunday, followed by the sound of screaming shortly after. The video then shows Malone leaving the property around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, only to return shortly after 4:00 a.m., according to court documents.
Before returning to Lewis’s home, Malone made a 911 call, according to authorities.
Investigators noted that the victim was discovered with significant head trauma.
Malone was arraigned in Barry County Court on Monday, December 1, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bond at the Stone County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Missouri Man Faces Charges For Allegedly Killing Girlfriend He Reported as Abducted
Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted and was possibly taken against her will.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 4, 2024 3:06 pm ET
Aaron Malone (Barry County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man after initially reporting his girlfriend missing, only for an investigation to reveal he could be responsible for her death.
According to a news release, Barry County Deputies responded to a residence in Exeter, Missouri, on Monday, November 25, after Aaron Malone reported that his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, had been abducted. Malone told law enforcement that Lewis was possibly taken against her will, providing both verbal and written statements supporting his claim.
A criminal investigation into her disappearance was launched. However, investigators noticed “discrepancies” in Malone’s statements, police said.
The following day, November 26, Barry County Sheriff Boyd and Major Cole met with Malone to continue their efforts to locate Lewis. During this meeting, Malone said he would “take them to her.” He guided them to a wooded area near Shell Knob, where Lewis was found deceased.
Malone then admitted to having been involved in an altercation with Lewis and later disposing of her body. He was taken into custody.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities piece together the details of the case.
According to KTVI, court documents indicated that on-scene investigators saw a large blood stain in the roadway behind Malone’s truck, along with pieces of jewelry, during the initial response on Monday. Samples of the blood stain were taken and confirmed it was human blood.
Police say surveillance footage captured Malone’s vehicle arriving at Lewis’ residence just before midnight on Sunday, followed by the sound of screaming shortly after. The video then shows Malone leaving the property around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, only to return shortly after 4:00 a.m., according to court documents.
Before returning to Lewis’s home, Malone made a 911 call, according to authorities.
Investigators noted that the victim was discovered with significant head trauma.
Malone was arraigned in Barry County Court on Monday, December 1, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bond at the Stone County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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