A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with the murder of her boyfriend after allegedly confessing to the crime. The arrest follows a series of events that led authorities to investigate the suspicious disappearance of 38-year-old Joseph Eiler.
Missing Person Report Filed for Joseph Eiler
Ashley Averett, 32, of Fountain, Florida, was arrested this week in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Joseph Eiler. Authorities received a missing person report for Eiler on March 14. According to the report, Eiler was last seen in the early morning hours of March 12. His father reported hearing an argument between Eiler and Averett at around 4:00 a.m. that morning, after which Eiler was not seen again and failed to show up to work.
Averett’s Initial Statement to Investigators
Investigators made contact with Averett on March 16. She allegedly told police that she and Eiler had argued and that he left the house with an unknown friend. However, the situation took a more suspicious turn later that day.
Suspicious Activity Leads to Further Investigation
Eiler’s father contacted investigators again after noticing suspicious activity at the home. He reported hearing another argument between the couple and what he believed to be gunshots in the early morning hours. Additionally, the father claimed to have seen Averett burning items in a fire pit, asking how to dispose of ashes, restricting access to parts of the home, and engaging in excessive cleaning. He also noticed changes inside the house, including missing bed sheets and a firearm placed in an unusual location.
Averett Allegedly Confesses to the Crime
The sheriff’s office revealed that another witness reported Averett allegedly admitting to shooting Eiler while he was asleep and attempting to dispose of his body. When questioned by investigators, Averett allegedly confessed to shooting Eiler twice, dismembering his body, and burying his remains throughout the yard. She reportedly purchased cleaning supplies to clean up the crime scene.
Human Remains Found During Search
Following the execution of a search warrant at the residence, human remains were found in areas of freshly disturbed soil, consistent with the information provided during the investigation. This discovery led to Averett’s formal arrest.
Averett Charged with Murder
Averett has been charged with one count of murder in connection with Eiler’s death. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Bay County Jail. The investigation is still ongoing as authorities work to gather more details surrounding the case.
