In a chilling revelation during a preliminary hearing on Friday, evidence presented in court showed that Deandre Booker, the ex-boyfriend of Ashley Elkins, searched online for a silencer for a handgun and for details on “murder out of rage” just days before she disappeared.
Booker, 32, has been charged with premeditated murder, tampering with evidence, disinterment of a body, and concealing the death of an individual in connection with the death of Elkins, a Macomb County mother of two. Elkins was last seen on January 2, 2025, when authorities confirmed her cellphone placed her at Booker’s apartment in Roseville, Michigan.
Days later, Booker was apprehended in Flint. Initially charged with lying to police on January 9, 2025, Booker’s recent search history revealed disturbing signs of premeditation. Prosecutors pointed to his searches for information on how to flee and avoid detection, including inquiries about the fastest routes from Flint to Ohio, how to beat a polygraph, and ways to delete Google search history.
On January 31, Booker was formally charged with murder after investigators found DNA evidence in a dumpster at his apartment. The investigation continued with a preliminary hearing held on August 1, 2025, where Detective Chris Moran provided key testimony, according to Detroit-based NBC affiliate WDIV.
Moran revealed Google searches found on Booker’s phone, including:
- December 22, 2024: “telling god i want to kill someone [sic]”
- December 29, 2024: “9mm silencer Roseville [sic]”
- December 29, 2024: “murder out of rage ex [sic]”
- January 2, 2025: “shoot gun threw pillow [sic]”
- January 5, 2025: “What happened to trash after it’s picked up [sic]”
The prosecutor asked Moran why these specific searches were relevant. Moran explained, “Based on the information we had on what could’ve happened at the time, these appeared the most relevant”, The Detroit News reported.
He further noted that blood found in the dumpster led him to believe the last search—about what happens to trash after it’s picked up—was crucial, as Booker would likely be concerned about where the body might end up.
The preliminary hearing, which continued until August 8, 2025, brought more evidence to light, suggesting Booker’s involvement in the tragic case. The judge will soon decide whether the case has sufficient evidence to go to trial.