A 23-year-old Missouri man, Aaron Malone, has been charged with the murder of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, after initially reporting her as missing to the Barry County Sheriff's Office on November 25th. Upon arriving at Malone's residence, deputies discovered a significant bloodstain in the road along with pieces of jewelry, raising immediate suspicions.

Lewis, last seen at her Exeter home in the early hours of November 25th, was the subject of Malone's initial report, which included both written and verbal statements. However, inconsistencies within his narrative prompted a criminal investigation. Surveillance footage obtained by authorities revealed Malone's vehicle arriving at Lewis's residence just before midnight on November 24th, followed shortly after by audible screams. The video further documented Malone leaving around 1:30 a.m. and returning just after 4 a.m., a period during which he placed a call to 911.

A day after his initial report, Malone led authorities to Lewis's body, which was discovered in a wooded area concealed under leaves and sticks. She had suffered significant head trauma. Subsequently, Malone confessed to an altercation with Lewis and admitted to disposing of her body.

Malone pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Barry County Court and is currently being held without bond in the Stone County jail. Lewis, remembered as a spiritual individual with a love for animals and the outdoors, leaves behind a young son.