Ashley Averett, 32, of Fountain, Fla., was arrested and charged with one count of murder after authorities say she confessed to shooting her boyfriend, Joseph Eiler, twice while he slept. Investigators allege she dismembered his body and buried remains throughout the yard; human remains were later found in freshly disturbed soil. A missing person report had been filed after Eiler failed to show up for work; the investigation is ongoing.
Florida Woman Arrested After Alleged Confession: Boyfriend Shot in Sleep, Dismembered and Buried in Yard
Ashley Averett.Credit: Bay County Sheriff's Office
Fountain, Fla. — A 32-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with murder after authorities say she admitted to killing her boyfriend, dismembering his body and burying remains around the property.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office says Ashley Averett allegedly told investigators she shot 38-year-old Joseph Eiler twice while he slept, attempted to dismember his body and concealed body parts in multiple locations across the yard. A missing person report was filed after Eiler failed to show up for work.
Timeline of Events
According to the sheriff’s office statement, Eiler was last seen in the early morning hours of March 12. His father reportedly overheard an argument between Eiler and Averett around 4:00 a.m. and later filed a missing person report on March 14 when Eiler did not report to work.
Investigators contacted Averett on March 16. She initially told officers she and Eiler had argued and that he left the residence with an unidentified friend. Later that day, Eiler’s father reported additional suspicious activity at the home, including what he believed were gunshots, items being burned in a fire pit, blocked access to parts of the house and unusual cleaning.
Investigation and Arrest
The sheriff’s office says another witness told investigators that Averett admitted to shooting Eiler while he slept and attempting to dispose of his body. When interviewed, Averett allegedly confessed to shooting Eiler twice, dismembering him and burying remains throughout the yard. She also reportedly said she purchased cleaning supplies to try to clean the scene.
After executing a search warrant at the residence, investigators located human remains "in areas of freshly disturbed soil consistent with the information provided during the investigation," the sheriff’s office said.
Averett has been charged with one count of murder. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Bay County Jail. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Note: The information above is based on the Bay County Sheriff’s Office statement and describes allegations. The case is under investigation and the accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
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