A missing Missouri woman has been found dead, and her boyfriend has been charged with murder in connection with her death.
Aaron Malone, 23, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, 24, according to the Barry County Sheriff's Office.
According to court records obtained by FOX 4 Kansas City, Malone contacted Barry County sheriff's deputies on Monday, Nov. 25, to report the possible kidnapping of Lewis.
Investigators said when they responded to the home, they saw a large blood stain on the road behind Malone's truck, along with jewelry.
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Aaron Malone was charged with murder in connection with the death of Aspen Lewis. (Barry County Sheriff's Office)
Officials said Lewis was last seen at his Exeter residence in the early morning hours of November 25th.
Mr. Malone gave oral and written statements to police officers regarding Mr. Lewis's disappearance. But officials said they opened a criminal investigation because of inconsistencies in Malone's statements.
Authorities told FOX 4 they obtained surveillance footage that shows Malone's car arriving at Lewis' residence just before midnight on Sunday, Nov. 24, and screaming can be heard shortly after.
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A missing Missouri woman has been found dead and her boyfriend has been charged with murder. (Barry County Sheriff's Office)
The video shows Malone leaving around 1:30 a.m. Monday and returning just after 4 a.m., according to court records.
Malone called 911 before returning to the Lewis residence, FOX 4 reported.
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Aaron Malone, 23, was charged with murdering his girlfriend Aspen Lewis, 24, after she reported him missing. (Aspen Nicole Lewis Facebook)
The next day, authorities met with Malone and told him they would take him to the location where Lewis' body had been found.
Her body was found in a wooded area, covered in leaves and branches, and had extensive head trauma, authorities said.
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Malone later admitted there was an altercation and disposed of Lewis' body, according to court records.
Malone was questioned in Barry County Court and pleaded not guilty Monday morning. He is being held in the Stone County Jail without bail.
Lewis left behind a young son and was described as a “deeply spiritual person” who loved animals and the outdoors, according to his obituary.
