'Is blood traceable?': Prosecutor reveals De'Andre Booker's searches after Ashley Elkins disappeared
De'Andre Booker (Macomb County Jail)
ROSEVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - After his ex-girlfriend disappeared, a Roseville man allegedly fled to Flint, where he searched for the fastest routes to Ohio.
During De'Andre Booker's arraignment Thursday, the prosecutor shared what he looked up after his ex, Ashley Elkins, was reported missing last week.
Booker, 32, is charged with lying to police in connection with Elkins' disappearance.
De'Andre Booker's search history
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 on Thursday.
Who is Ashley Elkins?
Elkins, 30, is from Warren. She is a hairstylist and mother of two boys.
She left home on Jan. 2 to run some errands, and was last heard from that same day when she texted a family member that she was heading home from a beauty salon.
Her family said it is unusual for her to be gone with no contact, adding that she would never do that to her sons.
"She loves her family, her kids. She would never just disappear for this many days," her sister Alexis Elkins said.
Ashley Elkins, 30, disappeared on Jan. 2 when she left to run some errands.
Why was De'Andre Booker arrested?
Elkins' family had been suspicious of Booker since she disappeared a week ago.
Police were in contact with Booker after Elkins was reported. His apartment near Gratiot and Frazho was searched on Tuesday after Elkins' vehicle was found abandoned about two miles away. Her phone last pinged at the apartment.
During that search, police took a dumpster away as evidence.
Ashley Elkins' vehicle found in Roseville; police check ex's apartment as search for missing mother continues
Ashley Elkins' vehicle was found Tuesday in Roseville. The mother of two has been missing since Jan. 2.
"There is substantial evidence collected at the ex-boyfriend's home, which leads us to believe that Ashley was murdered," Elkins' family said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Booker was arrested in Flint.
He allegedly lied to police about his location and about Elkins' vehicle. Authorities said video evidence confirmed that he lied.
Who is De'Andre Booker?
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.
What's next?
Booker is due back in court for a probable cause conference on Jan. 22 before a preliminary exam on Jan. 29.
In the meantime, police continue to search for Elkins.
According to her family, they believe she is dead.
"Although her body has not been found, investigators have strong leads on its location," the statement they released Wednesday said.
The Source: Information in this story is from the family of Ashley Elkins and prosecutors in Macomb County.