Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashley Benefield?
Ashley Benefield is a former ballet dancer who stands accused of second degree murder in the shooting and subsequently killing of her husband, Douglas Benefield, in 2020. Ashley claims she acted in self defense.
Who was Douglas Benefield?
Douglas Benefield was a widowed technology consultant and retired navy pilot (lieutenant commander.) At the time he met Ashley, he was a single father of a 15 year old daughter, Eva. He died after Ashley shot him in their Florida home in 2020.
How did Ashley and Douglas meet?
In August 2016, retired neurosurgeon and wanna-be presidential candidate Ben Carson threw a dinner party fund raiser. Ashley was working on behalf of the Trump campaign. Douglas was a guest. They bonded over their admiration of Donald Trump, their Christian faith, and the second amendment.
They married in a private ceremony in South Carolina on 6 September, 2016 - 13 days after their first meeting. Douglas did not even tell his (then) 15 year old daughter about his new marriage until after the fact. Her mother had died from a heart condition 9 months prior.
Did Ashley accuse her husband of poisoning her?
Yes. According to Ashley, she came to believe her husband was poisoning her during her pregnancy in 2017. She alleges she sent a hair sample to a lab and the lab tests are said to have come back finding heavy metals. Ashley used this to assert Douglas was putting “toxins” in her drinks.
What is the deal with the custody dispute?
Following their daughter Emerson’s birth in 2017, Ashley refused to allow Douglas to see the baby. After months of this, he took Ashley to court where he demanded shared custody. A legal dispute & fight ensued.
Ashley’s Accusations
Ashley Benefield made a number of claims about Doug, including:
- Accused Doug of poisoning her tea.
- Accused him as being involved in his first wife’s death/causing her health issues/heart condition.
Investigators looking in to the myriad of claims made against Doug and concluded they were all unfounded. In contrast, the affidavit states, “it appears that the main focus of these complaints was to keep the child away from Douglas.”
Prior to fatally shooting Doug, Ashley attempted to use the justice system to prevent him from seeing their daughter. The judge hearing the case stated she could not find “one scintilla of truth” to Ashley’s claims and ultimately ordered Doug be granted visitation. Investigators went on to state, “At this point, it appeared that Ashley had exhausted all legal means to keep the child away from Douglas before the shooting.”
Gunshot Wounds
Doug was found on Ashley’s bedroom floor with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Ashley claims she shot him in self-defense. Authorities believe she was standing only feet away from Doug when she began to fire the weapon.
According to the affidavit, “Based on entry wounds on Douglas it does not appear that he was facing Ashley when she began shooting.
It also does not appear that Douglas had taken any kind of defensive of combative stance. Douglas was not found to have any weapons on his person or near him."
Doug’s Daughter
Ashley had what is described as a “tense” relationship with Doug’s 15 year old daughter, Eva, and this caused many arguments between the couple.
The American National Ballet
Ashley and Doug founded their own ballet company in Charleston, SC called The American National Ballet. It was initially stated the goal of the ANB was to be, “an inclusive and welcoming home to dancers of all body types and ethnicities.” Dancers were promised 8 month contracts, as well as health insurance.
Cracks were immediately apparent as Ashley left and went back to Florida upon discovering she was pregnant. She claimed this was so her mother could take care of her throughout her self-described “difficult pregnancy.”
Douglas did try to step in to Ashley’s role with the ballet company, however, he lacked experience with ballet. Dancers also became concerned when they failed to get paid. The company ultimately failed a short time later.