Cop: Tip Led Police to Murder Suspect's Roseville Apartment

A Call That Changed the Course of a Murder Investigation

A seemingly routine phone call from a murder suspect to check on his Roseville apartment led to a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of Ashley Elkins, 32. The incident highlights how a single call can trigger a chain of events that ultimately leads to critical evidence being uncovered.

During a preliminary examination in the 39th District Court in Roseville, a police officer testified about the discovery of key evidence at Deandre Booker’s apartment. The officer, Shane Nabozny, responded to a call from dispatch on January 4, which was allegedly made by Booker himself. Upon arriving at the Hampton Court Apartments, Nabozny found blood spots on the bathtub and two one-gallon containers of bleach in the bathroom. These findings were later confirmed during a search warrant, where additional blood drops and smears were discovered throughout the bathroom and hallway, along with blood-soaked debris in the bathtub drain.

The presence of bleach raised immediate concerns among investigators, as it is often used to clean up after a crime. Further evidence came when Detective Sgt. Anthony Coraci stated that Elkins’ DNA matched a substantial amount of blood found at the apartment. This connection provided a strong link between the suspect and the victim.

In addition to physical evidence, investigators also seized Booker’s laptop, where they discovered he had conducted searches on topics such as the fastest routes from Flint to Ohio, what to do while on the run, whether blood is traceable, and how to beat a polygraph test. He also attempted to delete his Google search history, suggesting an attempt to cover his tracks.

During cross-examination, Nabozny admitted he did not know the details of the call made by Booker. However, he described the process of entering the apartment, noting that the door was slightly ajar when he arrived. Another resident let him in, and upon entering, he announced his presence. No one was home, and other officers soon arrived to conduct a search of the premises.

Uncovering More Than Just Blood

The hearing was the first of at least three days of proceedings related to Elkins’ case. Despite a weeklong search of Pine Tree Acres Landfill in Lenox Township, her body has never been found. Investigators suspect that she may have been dumped in the apartment complex’s trash container, and additional evidence was found during the landfill search.

One unusual aspect of the hearing was the presence of Deandre Booker in the jury box throughout the approximately three-hour session. He only sat down during a brief recess. Judge Boedeker allowed him to stand or sit, but when asked, Booker did not respond. Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Carmen Defranco criticized this behavior, calling it an attempt at intimidation of witnesses.

Ashley Elkins’ mother, Monika, testified calmly about her last contact with her daughter, who she described as “very close.” She mentioned that Ashley face-timed her from a Detroit casino shortly after the new year began and sent a video of her cooking on the day of January 1. Elkins texted her mother that she was leaving a beauty story around 1-2 p.m. on January 2.

Another key witness was a friend of Booker, who testified under strict confidentiality measures. The woman, whose identity and voice were altered for the hearing, described seeing police at Booker’s apartment on January 4. She called Booker to ask if he knew why the police were there and claimed he mentioned something about a missing girl and that many of her people had broken in.

Monika Elkins also testified about visiting Booker’s apartment on January 3, where she and family members entered the building and found the door ajar. One family member reportedly found a phone outside and gave it to the police. She later contacted the officers after learning of Booker’s comment about the trash.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The hearing is scheduled to resume on Friday, with more testimony expected. The case continues to unfold as investigators work to piece together the events leading to Elkins’ disappearance and the potential involvement of Deandre Booker. The evidence collected so far suggests a serious criminal act, and the legal process will determine the next steps in this ongoing investigation.