Left: Ryan Alexander (Henry County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Ashton Christine Schouten (Williams Funeral Chapel).
A tragic incident unfolded in Missouri when a man, upon discovering his wife had packed bags for herself and their children, fatally shot her. The case, spanning nearly four years, culminated in a Henry County jury convicting 30-year-old Ryan Alexander of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his wife, 28-year-old Ashton Schouten. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced the conviction, marking a grim chapter in this domestic tragedy.
The events transpired on August 27, 2022, within the confines of their home. The couple, whose relationship was marred by Alexander’s controlling behavior and suspicions of infidelity, engaged in a heated argument. After the confrontation, Alexander left the house and purchased beer from a nearby liquor store. Upon returning, he was confronted with the reality that Schouten had packed luggage for herself and their one-year-old twin boys, placing it by the front door, signaling her intention to leave.
In a violent response, Alexander retrieved a handgun and shot Ashton once in the head. As she fell to the ground, he mercilessly fired the remaining rounds from the magazine into her head. Following the brutal act, Alexander called 911, attempting to justify his actions by claiming self-defense.
The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues before they escalate to irreversible tragedy. As the community grapples with the aftermath, this case underscores the urgent need for support systems and interventions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Alexander “then took his handgun and shot Ashton once in the head,” the attorney general added. Schouten fell to the floor, and her husband “stood over Ashton and unloaded the remainder of the magazine into her head.”
He then called 911 and claimed he acted in self-defense.
“Today’s guilty verdict reflects the tireless work of our attorneys and team,” Hanaway said in her press release announcing the conviction. “My office remains steadfast in our commitment to accountability and public safety. We will continue to put violent criminals behind bars and keep Missouri communities safe.”
The jury spent only a “short” time deliberating before finding Alexander guilty, according to Henry County Prosecuting Attorney LaChrisha Gray. Authorities announced that the defendant’s sentencing “will be scheduled at a later date.”
Schouten’s obituary says she “worked as a physical therapist since the age of 16” and “had an intense love of animals.” She is survived by her twin boys, her parents and seven siblings.
