In the spring of 2022, the life of William Carlie 'Bill' Ashby, a 64-year-old male, was tragically cut short in Lexington, Kentucky. On the afternoon of Friday, April 8th, police were called to the Catalina Motel on West New Circle Road to assist another agency. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr. Ashby, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Fayette County coroner's office would later officially pronounce him dead at 2:43 p.m.
at the motel where the homicide occurred.
William 'Bill' Ashby, originally from Beaver Dam, Kentucky, was a retired truck driver for Ashby Trucking, where he had worked for nearly two decades. He was also a man dedicated to his community, having served as a volunteer for many years on the Beaver Dam Fire Department. Known to his loved ones as a fan of University of Kentucky Basketball and the Tennessee Titans, he especially cherished the Fourth of July holiday, as it brought family and friends together for grilling and fireworks. His passing left behind a large and loving family, including his children and grandchildren.
The investigation into Ashby's death quickly led to two suspects. A man and a woman, Danny Sims, 50, and Alysha Noel, 30, were arrested and charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. They were subsequently lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center. The community's cooperation with law enforcement was a significant factor in the progression of the case.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Alysha Noel pleaded guilty to facilitation of murder in April of 2022. Later, in March of 2025, Danny Sims entered a guilty plea to the charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence. As a result of his plea, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 20 years for the murder charge, with an additional five years for tampering with evidence, marking a significant step toward legal resolution in the untimely death of William Ashby.
