LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – Doyle Levi Ashcraft, 32, is charged with first-degree murder and criminal attempt to commit murder in the first degree for the death of his wife, Marjorie Ashcraft, 35.
Ashcraft's son woke up at around 6:45 a.m. Monday, March 26 to the family's residence at 31 Red Leaf Cir. He tried to wake up his parents but could not do so. He then broke a window and went to a neighbor for help.
While firefighters were on scene Ashcraft walked up to the house and the police were called. Marjorie Ashcraft was found dead in the back bedroom with injuries that were not consistent with a fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
Ashcraft was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives.
In an arrest affidavit, Ashcraft told police that there was a hunting knife and lighter fluid in the garage, but officers on scene did not find the knife. Instead, the knife's sheath was found hidden in a different room and the empty lighter fluid container was located inside the home.
During the investigation at the house, police discovered that several smoke detectors were
"purposefully removed from their mounts." Ashcraft's son stated he said his father "testing and checking" the smoke detectors.
Ashcraft has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He is being held in Pulaski County Jail.
Marjorie Ashcraft's murder is the tenth homicide this year in Little Rock.