INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Ashley Doolittle Update: Missing Teen Confirmed Dead As Police Offer New Details On Her Murder

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 15:50 PST, Jun 12, 2016

Ashley Doolittle was killed by her boyfriend hours after he kidnapped her, police said in a grim update on Sunday after a search for the missing teen.

The 18-year-old Doolittle had been reported missing on Thursday after she failed to return home as her family had expected, KKTV reported. Police were able to find Ashley’s car but there had been no trace of the missing teen.

The search quickly turned to Tanner Flores, Ashley’s ex-boyfriend. The couple had recently broken up and sources said Tanner was despondent. On Friday, police in Colorado arrested Flores with the body of a woman, who on Sunday police identified as Ashley Doolittle.

Police said that Doolittle was fatally shot in the head within hours of her disappearance. Doolittle’s body was still in the truck with Flores when he was arrested in Mesa County on Colorado’s Western Slope, the Coloradoan reported.

Investigators had already made a statement suggesting that the body found with Tanner Flores belonged to Ashley Doolittle. In a Facebook post on Friday, Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith gave details of Flores’ arrest and his connection to Doolittle.

“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.”

Even before her body was positively identified by police, Ashley Doolittle was being remembered as a big-hearted young woman and caring friend with a deep love for horses. She served as the official Lady in Waiting at the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo, a position that led her to travel and participate in rodeos and parades.

Those who knew Ashley Doolittle from the rodeo world said they couldn’t make sense of her murder.

“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 was an expert in reining, a highly technical and precise form of horse riding that involves putting them through patterns of circles and spins.

“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.”

The Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Royalty Committee remembered the impact Doolittle had on the program, posting a remembrance of her 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.”

A group of Doolittle’s friends also held a candlelight vigil for the teen over the weekend.

After identifying the body of Ashley Doolittle, investigators in Colorado said they are working with the District Attorney to file appropriate charges against Tanner Flores.

[Image via KKTV/Larimer County Sheriff’s Office]

Share this article: Ashley Doolittle Update: Missing Teen Confirmed Dead As Police Offer New Details On Her Murder
More from Inquisitr