Ashley Doolittle Update: Missing Teen Feared Dead After Police Capture Ex-Boyfriend Tanner Flores And Find Woman’s Body
Ashley Doolittle is feared dead after police arrested the ex-boyfriend of the missing 18-year-old, and found the body of a yet-to-be-identified young woman.
Doolittle’s family called police on Thursday after she didn’t make it home in the evening as they had been expecting, KKTV reported. Police launched a search for Doolittle and found her car near the Lon Hagler Reservoir, but found no sign of the missing teen.
The search focused early on Tanner Flores, Ashley’s ex-boyfriend. The two had recently broken up and family members said Flores was taking it very hard.
That led to a grim update on Friday when police said they found Tanner Flores with what is believed to be the body of Ashley Doolittle, KKTV reported.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith gave an update on Friday, posting on Facebook that police are putting together the pieces of the case and were seeking any information people may have about Ashley Doolittle or Tanner Flores.
“As you’ve certainly read by now, we located Ashley’s ex-boyfriend in rural Mesa County earlier today and along with him, sadly, we found the body of a young woman.
“We are unable to positively confirm the identity of the young lady. It is the role of the county coroner to provide positive identification of deceased individuals and to determine the cause of death.
“Tanner Flores is in custody of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and we have LCSO investigators over in Mesa County working alongside their investigators.”
Those close to Ashley Doolittle said they were shocked by the crime. Ashley served as the official Lady in Waiting at the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo, where she was known as a bright and vibrant young woman with a deep love for horses. She was also an expert in a horse skill known as reining, which involves putting horses through a precise pattern of circles and spins.
“Devastated, absolutely devastated,” said Laura Boldt, Boulder County Fair Coordinator, via KUSA.
“It’s just her vivaciousness,” Boldt said. “She’s very positive. She’s very creative. She’s very happy.”
Doolittle traveled around the state in her position, participating in rodeos and parades. She was set to take a position as Queen of the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo in August, KUSA noted.
“She was very outgoing. She was very polite, very kind, generous,” said Julia Davis, president of the Boulder County Fair Board. “She talked to you whether it was an adult or whether it was a child. She could converse with either and make you feel like the love that she put out.”
Davis said Doolittle had a glowing personality, with a smile and friendly words for everyone she met.
Friends share memories of Ashley Doolittle – https://t.co/TWjNeyF4uD pic.twitter.com/7NIVXMnFrC
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) June 12, 2016
“She was the most charming young lady that I’ve ever met,” Davis said. “She’s beautiful inside and out.”
Though police had not yet confirmed that the body found belonged to Ashley Doolittle, friends and family members were already offering remembrances for the young woman. A number of her friends gathered to release a butterfly balloon, and many shared their memories of her online.
The Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Royalty Committee also remembered the impact she had on their program, sharing the message on Facebook.
“[We] would like to thank everyone for the support that has been extended by various royalty programs and individuals from across the state. Ashley was a blessing to this program and her legacy as 2017 Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Queen will live on forever. Please continue to pray for her family and encourage everyone to remember her as a great role model and ambassador for the sport we love so much.”
Police have not said when they might be able to confirm whether the body found with Tanner Flores belongs to Ashley Doolittle.
[Image via KKTV/Larimer County Sheriff’s Office]
