Cynthia Betts, aged 63, was tragically found dead on November 3, 2015, in her home located in the 2100 block of Seagrape Drive, Vero Beach, Florida. The investigation revealed that she had been shot three times the previous day. Her body was discovered in the laundry room, with her hands tied using garbage bags and her body wrapped in a rug. The discovery was made after her father, William Betts, who has since passed away, requested a welfare check from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies initially left a note on the door when no one answered, but upon returning later, they encountered Asbury Lee Perkins, who appeared inebriated and claimed that Cynthia was visiting relatives in New Jersey. This statement was quickly disproven, leading deputies to forcibly enter the home and find Cynthia's body.
Asbury Lee Perkins, Cynthia's ex-husband, was arrested and charged with her murder. The couple had a tumultuous relationship, marked by domestic violence and a divorce in 2009. Despite their separation, they continued to live together intermittently. Perkins was found guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm in October 2022, nearly seven years after the crime. During the trial, it was revealed that Perkins had retrieved a gun from a locked safe and shot Cynthia in what was described as a premeditated execution. The prosecution presented 94 exhibits and 17 witnesses, including a mental health expert who testified that Perkins was sane at the time of the murder. Perkins' defense, which claimed insanity, was rejected by the jury.
The trial was a significant event for Cynthia's family, who traveled from New Jersey to attend. Her sister, Georgette Betts, expressed relief and a sense of justice following the guilty verdict, stating that Cynthia could now rest in peace. Perkins showed no reaction upon hearing the verdict and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case highlighted the severe impact of domestic violence and the long journey to justice for victims and their families.
