Ashley Danielle Howell,Edward Bernard Raine Obituary, Death; – The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details regarding a suspected double homicide followed by a suicide. In a statement provided to News 5, the sheriff’s office named the victims as Ashley Danielle Howell, a 39-year-old woman, along with her two children, aged 8 and 11.
On Sunday at approximately 8 a.m., deputies conducted a welfare check at Howell’s residence on Mary Aquilla Road in the Whatley community, as indicated in the statement. They discovered an 11-year-old girl who had sustained gunshot wounds but was still alive. She was transported to Grove Hill Hospital and subsequently moved to a trauma center in Mobile, where her condition is reported as serious.
The deputies also found Howell and her 8-year-old son deceased from gunshot injuries. Additionally, 43-year-old Edward Bernard Raine was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A spokesperson for the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Ashley Danielle Howell…” and emphasized that “the tragedy is still under investigation.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, along with the police departments of Jackson, Grove Hill, and Thomasville, as well as the First Judicial Major Crimes Task Force.
The statement also mentioned that the Clarke County School Board is involved and will provide counselors at the schools attended by the children. “We ask that you please focus your prayers on Ms. Ashley’s daughter and her recovery. Additionally, please keep in mind the family and community who are still mourning this loss,” it stated.
Reports indicate that sheriff’s deputies arrived at a residence on Old Line Road in the Whatley community, west of Grove Hill, around 8 a.m. on Sunday.
There, they discovered three deceased individuals: a man, a woman, and a child. Another child was found injured from gunfire and was taken to the hospital, where they are in critical condition, according to the sheriff.
The sheriff has not disclosed the names of the individuals involved but mentioned to News 5 that he believes the man shot the woman and her two young children before turning the gun on himself.
