Ashley Elkins landfill search continues, police still optimistic of location
Ashley Elkins search continues in Macomb County
Law enforcement in Macomb County are continuing the search for the remains of Ashley Elkins after four days of digging through a landfill.
LENOX TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Law enforcement searching for the body of Ashley Elkins at the Lenox Township landfill remain optimistic they'll find her remains but they just don't know how long it will.
Thursday marks the fourth day of searching for the remains of the 30-year-old mom of two at Pine Tree Acres in Macomb County.
Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin said the work will continue – despite how challenging it all has been.
"I think we’re in the right spot -- just more work ahead of us," Berlin said. "The trash is dense – compacted – (and) pushing it is difficult, walking on it is hard. A few falls and stuff but dedicated not one complaint."
Investigators all want to find Elkins, who hasn't been seen since Jan. 2.
What happened to Ashley Elkins?
What we know:
Elkins' family last heard from her on Jan. 2 when she sent a text saying she was headed home from running errands. However, she never made it home.
According to her family, it is unusual for Elkins, a mother of two, to not have contact with her loved ones, especially her sons.
"She loves her family, her kids. She would never just disappear for this many days," her sister Alexis Elkins said.
Her family believes that Elkins is dead.
What we don't know:
Despite the four days of searching, police have not found anything at the landfill.
The family believes Elkins is dead but how she was killed, or why, is all still unknown.
What suspects are in custody?
Elkins' ex boyfriend, De'Andre Booker was taken into custody a week ago. He was charged with lying to police but has not yet been charged with her murder.
Former Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee, who is not involved in the search, said that charge is only the beginning.
"The charge of lying to police is the tip of the iceberg and I would expect in the days and the weeks to come (we'll see) more concrete evidence," Godbee said. "I would venture to say police are waiting for some more definitive forensic things to come back. It could be DNA, could be evidence associated with tracking her cell phone (or) tracking his cell phone."
Why police are searching the landfill?
What they're saying:
When police searched Booker's apartment on Jan. 7, they took away a dumpster as evidence.
Elkins' family has been suspicious of Booker since she disappeared, and have said they believe he threw her away.
"Her mother has said numerous times, ‘He threw her out with the trash,’" her uncle, Maurice Morton, said. "That's disheartening."
Elkins' phone last pinged at Booker's apartment.
Police have not disclosed any evidence that was recovered from the dumpster.
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'Is blood traceable?': Prosecutor reveals De'Andre Booker's searches after Ashley Elkins disappeared
After his ex-girlfriend Ashley Elkins disappeared, De'Andre Booker allegedly fled to Flint, where he searched for the fastest routes to Ohio.
Are police close to finding Elkins' remains?
It's unknown how close police are to find Elkins' body in the landfill.
What they're saying:
Chief Berlin said there is some evidence that they're looking at.
"We have some objects that we’re taking back for processing. We're not sure if they are related to the case or not," he said.
But there's no way to know how long the search will take.
"I would be very cautious about giving timeliness as far as expectations as today could be the day," Godbee said. "The investigation leads to where it leads. Time be dammed. It’s exercising patience."
The family of Elkins says they have not yet gotten update from police on the search.
Ashley Elkins' ex-boyfriend charged
A week ago, Elkins' ex was arrested in connection to the case.
He has not been charged with murder but is being held on charges of lying to police.
According to authorities, Elkins' vehicle was found a few miles away from Booker's apartment. He allegedly lied about his whereabouts.
The prosecutor who appeared in court for Booker's arraignment said Booker's internet searches after Elkins disappeared suggest that he was planning to flee Michigan.
While in Flint, Booker is accused of planning to leave Michigan by looking up routes out of state.
His research also included what to do while on the run, as well as how to beat a polygraph test, and if blood is traceable, the prosecution said.
Additionally, he allegedly looked up how to delete his Google search history.
The prosecution argued that these searches suggest that Booker would flee if released on bond. His bond was set at $250,000 cash/surety.
Police have not disclosed what evidence they have against Booker and if he will be charged in Elkins' murder.
Who is De'Andre Booker?
Booker is 32 and lives near Gratiot and Frazho in Roseville.
According to information presented in court, Booker is currently unemployed.
Booker previously served in the United States Army but was removed from the military with a less than honorable discharge after going AWOL in 2017. This happened after he was charged the year before with several crimes while serving, including larceny and possessing fake identification documents.
The Source: FOX 2 spoke to Roseville Police and family members for this story.