David Louis Markiewitz, a retired dentist aged 64, was tragically murdered on July 30, 2015, at his cabin in Weldon, California. Markiewitz, who had a long and successful career in Tehachapi, California, was known for his compassionate care and dedication to his patients. He had retired to his beloved cabin in Jawbone Canyon, where he spent several days a week since his retirement in 2013.
On the day of his death, Markiewitz failed to follow his usual routine of checking in with his family, prompting concern. His wife Cheryl and son-in-law Ryan Kerr discovered his body later that night, finding that he had been shot at least once. The coroner's office ruled his death a homicide.
The investigation into Markiewitz's murder quickly identified a suspect, Benjamin Peter Ashley. Ashley, 34, had been involved in a series of violent crimes leading up to the murder, including taking three men hostage and wounding two sheriff's deputies. The manhunt for Ashley lasted several weeks, during which he continued to evade capture despite multiple encounters with law enforcement. The search for Ashley culminated on August 15, 2015, when he was shot and killed by Kern County Sheriff's deputies in Inyokern, California. Ashley had brandished a firearm at the deputies, leading to the fatal confrontation.
The case of David Markiewitz's murder was marked by the extensive efforts of law enforcement to apprehend Ashley, who had become a significant threat to the community. The investigation revealed that Ashley had a history of violent behavior and had been living in a remote area, making it difficult for authorities to locate him. The tragic death of Markiewitz and the subsequent manhunt for Ashley highlighted the dangers posed by individuals with a propensity for violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing such individuals to justice.
