Instagram/Ashley HorningAshley Horning pictured on her Instagram page.
Ashley Horning, a former stripper, is accused of shooting her son’s grandmother dead and prompting a brief manhunt on January 24 in Spokane, Washington.
The Spokane Police Department has said that Horning, 25, is the suspect in a homicide that occurred at 2100 East Cataldo Avenue in the city on January 24. The statement from police said that Horning was considered “armed and dangerous.” She was described as being 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds.
KREM reports that Horning was forbidden from being at the home where the shooting took place. Horning was former resident at that address. The station also says that authorities are under the impression the shooting is the result of a domestic dispute. Police have said that Horning entered the home and shot a person, Horning and the victim know each other.
Authorities later said that Horning was arrested in a Safeway parking lot after she made contact with police. Horning is accused of second-degree murder. She made her first appearance in court on January 25. The Spokesman Review’s Jonathan Glover reports that Horning is accused of stealing a gun from her boyfriend and using it to kill the mother of the father of one of her children. The gun was ditched near the Spokane River but it has not been recovered at the time of writing. During an appearance in court, Horning refused to give her real name and says that she goes by, “Gypsy.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Horning Previously Referred to the Father of Her Child as ‘Neglectful’ & ‘Very Toxic’
In December 2018, Horning uploaded a video to YouTube that detailed her struggles with the fathers of her two children. Horning says that one of those men was physically abusive to her and her mother. That abuse, Horning says, sent the pair to the hospital. That YouTube channel sees Horning go under the moniker, Spokane Gypsy. A gift registry page for Horning says that she was due to give birth on May 4.
On a fundraising page for her case, Horning explains that she was losing custody of both of her children. Horning says, “I am a great mother who has been put in very awful situations that I don’t know how to get out of.” Horning refers to her children’s fathers as “neglectful very toxic men.” Horning adds that after the birth of her second child, she was treated for post-partum depression but says that she no longer needs to take medication.
In posting on that page, Horning’s mother said that President Donald Trump was in part to blame for her daughter’s situation. Michelle Horning wrote, “Trump is emboldening the abusers. They are all coming out of the woodwork. This is our president?”
2. A Friend Says Horning Is ‘Mentally Unstable’
A friend of Horning’s said in an interview with KXLY after the suspect’s arrest that she is “mentally unstable.” That friend said, “She – I thought her to be a good person, but I knew she was mentally unstable… It makes no sense to me.” That friend added that Horning “needed help and was off her medication… Her talk was all about suicide to herself and not to others.” Horning’s friend said that he had no idea she could capable of the crimes she is accused of.
3. Horning Formerly Worked a Deja Vu Showgirls in Spokane
According to Horning’s Facebook page, she formerly danced at Deja Vu Showgirls in Spokane. Horning also says that she formerly worked as a sales associate in a Victoria Secret in Bellevue. Since October 2017, Horning refers to herself as a stay-at-home mother. In her About section, Horning says that she is interested in men and women. When asked about her religious beliefs, Horning says she practices Feminist Witchcraft. Also on that page, Horning says that she became engaged in 2018. Horning says on her Instagram bio that she is “#Claircognizant #Clairempathy #Clairvoyant.”
Horning’s last visible Facebook post read, “So I’m not getting on Facebook for a while while this case gets rolling.. if you want to contact me and don’t have my number, ask my mom.” As the search for Horning went on, her friends began posting underneath that post, imploring her to turn herself in.
4. Horning Formerly Lived in Australia
Facebook/Ashley Horning
Horning maintains a website where she advertises her career asa make up artist and vlogger. In her bio, Horning says that she has lived in Brisbane, Australia, Los Angeles and Seattle. Horning writes on that page that she is “obsessed with all things beauty” and that she is “settled with [her] family in Spokane, WA.” That page features a picture of Horning with “Jackass” star Steve-O.
Horning says on her Facebook page that she attended Riverside High School in Chattaroy, Washington, and Spokane Community College.
Horning has a profile with Explore Talent, a social media page for aspiring actors and models. Horning writes on her page, “im outgoing, i love people, trying new things. i am open for any genre of modeling as long as it isnt complete nude modeling or runway. i am too clumsy to walk in heels.”
5. Horning’s Mother Has Blamed Her Daughter’s Ordeal on the Police & Social Services
Facebook/Michelle HorningAshley Horning pictured with her mother in January 2019.
In a Facebook post after her daughter was arrested, Michelle Horning blamed the ordeal on “Spokane Police, Spokane County Courthouse Staff, Spokane County jail, Holy Family Hospital, CPS… ll of the greedy, heartless lawyers, and last, but not least, all of the closeted abusers who have thus far gotten away with feeding the situation with no consequences.” Horning began the post by saying, “Yes, I know. I woke up to a call about it, and now everyone and their dogs are sending me messages and requests. No, I am absolutely NOT ok.” Horning added, “Our broken system has failed us again, and my family is more broken than it’s ever been.”
READ NEXT: Michigan School Teachers Admit to Making Adult Movies on the Side