The former boyfriend of missing mom and hairstylist Ashley Elkins was arrested by Roseville police Wednesday night on charges relating to her disappearance, according to Roseville police.
But police Chief Mitch Berlin said late Wednesday that Elkins’ body has not yet been found.
DeAndre Howard Booker, 32, of Roseville was taken into custody by Roseville officers on charges of lying to a peace officer, according to his booking information at the Macomb County Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning.
“We are still actively investigating this case as we have not yet located the body of Ms. Elkins,” Berlin said.
Police said social media reports that indicated authorities found Elkins’ body near Interstate 96 in Detroit were inaccurate.
Berlin said investigators are still trying to develop a motive in the case, but added it is now being investigated as a homicide even though police have not found a body.
“The suspect is being held on charges relating to this case. Our information is this was a homicide as all the evidence is indicating there was a violent end,” Berlin said.
Elkins’ family gathered Wednesday night at the Roseville Police Department to receive preliminary information from the police.
Family spokesman Maurice Morton said the couple had broken up in September.
“There is substantial evidence collected at the ex-boyfriend’s home, which leads us to believe that Ashley was murdered,” Morton said. “Although her body has not been found, investigators have strong leads on its location.”
Elkins, the 30-year-old mother of two children ages 7 and 10, was reported missing from her Warren home on Jan. 2 when family members saw her leaving her house around 8:30 a.m.
The arrest comes one day after police raided Booker’s residence in Hampton Court Apartments near Frazho Road and Gratiot Avenue. Investigators also located Elkins’ car about two miles away.
Earlier Wednesday, investigators said evidenced seized led them to believe there was a “strong possibility” of foul play being involved in Elkins’ disappearance. Police also confiscated a trash dumpster from the apartment complex.
Visit the Macombdaily.com Thursday for further developments as they become available.
Police: ‘Strong possibility’ of foul play involved in case of missing Macomb County mom
Authorities intensify investigation into disappearance of Macomb County woman
‘Like you’re on a different planet:’ Malibu left decimated by Palisades fire
Should California cop killer have been tried as an adult? A new hearing could set him free.
How a rare windstorm whipped up LA County’s catastrophic hellscape