Missing woman found dead – boyfriend charged

BARRY COUNTY, Mo. – An Exeter, Missouri man who reported his girlfriend missing is now charged with murder.

Aaron Malone, 23, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, 24.

Court records show that Malone contacted Barry County sheriff’s deputies on Monday to report Lewis’ possible kidnapping. Investigators said when they went to the residence, they saw a large blood stain on the roadway behind Malone’s truck, along with jewelry. The probable cause statement says Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers who assisted in the investigation took samples of the bloodstain and confirmed it was human blood.

Authorities say they have obtained surveillance footage that shows Malone’s vehicle arriving at Lewis’ home just before midnight on Sunday, and screams could be heard shortly afterward. The video shows Malone leaving around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning and then returning just after 4 a.m., according to court records.

Before Malone returned to Lewis’ home, authorities said he called 911.

Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd says he and another officer met with Malone and led them to Lewis’ body. Her body was found along a rural road in Barry County, covered in leaves and sticks. Investigators say she suffered extensive head trauma.

Malone was arraigned in Barry County Court this morning and pleaded not guilty. He is being held in the Stone County Jail without bond.

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