Husband Indicted for Strangling Wife Who Was Packing to Leave Him

In Chesterfield, Virginia, a 36-year-old woman was found dead in her home after being strangled by her husband, who had staged the scene to look like a suicide. According to authorities, Ross Butler, 56, murdered his wife Ashlee Davis Butler on December 20, 2021, when she returned home to pack belongings as part of her plan to leave him. The Virginia case gained national attention after Butler fled to Florida and was eventually apprehended by Flagler County Sheriff's deputies earlier this week.

Detectives from the Chesterfield Police Department initially reported Ashlee's death as a suicide but later uncovered inconsistencies in the evidence that suggested foul play. Family members and witnesses came forward with concerns about domestic violence, leading investigators to suspect murder rather than suicide. Butler was indicted on charges of murder and strangulation by a grand jury in Virginia on May 18.

Butler had managed to evade capture for over four years by living at various locations across Florida, including a motel near the coast. He even attempted to raise funds through a GoFundMe page claiming his wife's death was a suicide, which has since been paused due to the ongoing legal proceedings. His arrest came after law enforcement identified him in a Florida hospital and quickly moved to detain him upon his release.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised the cooperation between local and state agencies that led to Butler’s capture, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in solving complex cases involving fugitives. The case highlights the lengths authorities will go to ensure justice is served, regardless of how long it takes.