On a tragic spring day, the life of 39-year-old Ashley Danielle Howell was cut short in her Whatley, Alabama, home. On Sunday, April 6, 2025, law enforcement officers discovered a devastating scene after being called to the residence for a welfare check. Ashley, known affectionately as 'Bird,' was found deceased from gunshot wounds, a victim of a violent act that also claimed the life of her young son.
Ashley, born on May 24, 1985, was a graduate of Leroy High School's class of 2004.
Remembered for her jolly spirit and beautiful smile, she was a devoted mother. Tragically, she was found alongside her 8-year-old son, Jayden Dewayne Howell, who also died from gunshot wounds. Her 11-year-old daughter, Jayln, was discovered at the scene as well, critically injured by gunfire but still alive. She was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a trauma center in Mobile for treatment.
The investigation by the Clarke County Sheriff's Office quickly pointed to a grim conclusion: a double murder-suicide. The suspected perpetrator, 43-year-old Edward Bernard Raine, was also found deceased at the home from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe Raine, who was said to have a connection to Ashley, fatally shot her and her children before taking his own life.
Court records revealed a troubled history, indicating that Raine had been arrested in May of the previous year for allegedly threatening to shoot and kill Ashley. However, those charges were later dismissed. The motive for the tragic event has not been publicly disclosed by authorities as they continue to piece together the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter. The community was left to mourn the heartbreaking loss of a mother and her young son.
