A Bartholomew County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend earlier this year. Anthony Carter, 51, was sentenced to life without parole after a jury found him guilty of killing 40-year-old Ashley E. Neville on April 16, 2023.
The case shook the small town of Columbus, Indiana, and left many asking how something so tragic could happen. According to police, Carter and Neville had been in an “on-again, off-again” relationship. On that terrible day in April, Carter confessed to shooting Ashley and then trying to cover up the crime by asphyxiating her. Investigators say he attempted to hide her body in the bedroom of a house on East 650 South.
Authorities found Carter hiding in the woods near the home. Nearby, they also discovered the gun used in the murder. An autopsy later confirmed Ashley’s cause of death: a gunshot wound to the head.
Court documents revealed an even more heartbreaking detail—Ashley had filed a no-contact order against Carter before her death, a clear sign of trouble in their relationship.
During the trial, the jury didn’t hesitate to recommend the harshest sentence possible. Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay called the case “a gruesome reminder of the evil that some people are capable of.” On Wednesday, a judge made it official, ensuring Carter will never walk free again.
Ashley’s murder is a devastating reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in difficult situations. This case has left a deep scar on the community, but many hope it will also raise awareness about protecting those at risk.
