AURORA | A man accused of first-degree murder for killing an Aurora woman and dumping her body in the foothills was sentenced to 20 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Shawrae Butler, 22, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and tampering with a body in connection with the death of Queen Ashby, 20, whose body was found in April 2017.
A motorist found Ashby’s body near Highway 103 in Clear Creek County. At first, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation didn’t know Ashby’s identity but after releasing a composite sketch of her and asking the public for help, the agency said they were able to ID her.
Butler was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors dropped that charge — which could have sent Butler to prison for life — as part of the plea agreement.
During a court appearance last year lawyers for Butler said Ashby may have killed herself while playing “Russian roulette” with Butler at a house near East Colfax Avenue.
According to court testimony, the night of Ashby’s death Butler — who had a habit of playing with guns when he was intoxicated — was drunk and doing cocaine with several other people at the home.