| Preferred Name | Ashley Burton | City | Atlanta | ||
| Other Names Used | State | GA | |||
| Age | 37 | Gender Identity | Transwoman | ||
| Race | Black | Date of Death | 04/11/2023 |
Crime Category: Domestic Violence | Weapon Used: Gun
On April 11th, 2023, in Atlanta, GA, Ashley was found shot in the breezeway of her apartment complex.
Report: “Warrants obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed that Burton lived at the apartment complex. Investigators said they believe the incident began with a dispute inside Burton’s apartment before moving outside.
[Darius] Mills is accused of shooting Burton in the face with a 9mm handgun before taking her iPhone. He then entered her apartment and took her second iPhone, the warrants said.
“We understand some acts of violence bring about legitimate concerns of whether the incident was motivated by hate,” the police department said. “Our investigators have not found any indication the victim(s) were targeted for being transgender or a member of the LGBTQ+ community.”
According to the police, the crime was described as a domestic dispute.
Location: The Elite at City Park apartments on the 400 block of Fairburn Road, Atlanta, GA, at about 4:30 a.m.
Personal Information:
Ashley was a hairstylist and makeup artist in Atlanta.
HRC: “Ashley’s brother Patrick praised her authenticity as a trans woman saying, “The way my sibling moved in life, it was…take it or leave it. ‘This is how I am.’ You can respect it or neglect it, but Ashley put it out there and let that person know. It’s not going to be a secret.” Ashley’s cousin describes her as “a courageous fighter who fled her assailant and desperately sought help from her neighbors before she died.”
Murder Suspect:
Darius Marquis Mills
31 | Black
Birthdate: 1992
Motive: Unknown
Charged: Murder
Hate Crime: No
Held in: Fulton County, GA
Arrest location: Stone Mountain, Georgia30088
Last Public Update: 06/07/2023
Current Charges:
Criminal Record:
The Fulton County case record system is currently down. (03/26/2024)
Report: “According to APD, homicide investigators arrested Darius Mills, 31, and charged him with murder, armed robbery, and gun-related charges. Mills was already in custody in the Fulton County Jail on unrelated charges.
Mills was arrested by East Point Police on May 27 and charged with aggravated assault, armed robbery and the hijacking of a motor vehicle.
Investigators believe her murder was preceded by a domestic dispute between Burton and Mills inside her apartment. After the argument spilled outside, Mills allegedly shot Burton in the face and took her iPhone. He then re-entered her apartment and took a second iPhone.”
News Timeline: 04/11/2023 | 04/14/2023 | 04/21/2023 | 06/06/2023 | 06/07/2023
Darius Mills – Arrest Record – 05.27.2023 – Ashley Burton. (2023, May 27). Arrests.Org. https://georgia.arrests.org/search.php?fname=Darius&lname=Mills&fpartial=True
Georgia Department of Corrections. (2023). Find an Offender – Darius Marquis Mills – Ashley Burton. GDC.GA.GOV. https://services.gdc.ga.gov/GDC/OffenderQuery/jsp/OffQryRedirector.jsp
Hollis, H. (2023, June 6). Arrest warrants reveal new details in killing of transgender woman – Ashley Burton. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/suspect-charged-in-april-killing-of-transgender-woman-at-sw-atlanta-apartments/JLZU2K4HWREABBBIWIYRG2USHI/
Proctor, A. (2023a, April 11). Woman found shot to death at SW Atlanta apartment complex – Ashley Burton. FOX5 Atlanta. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fairburn-road-apartments-death-investigation-atlanta
Proctor, A. (2023b, April 14). Atlanta hairdresser, member of LGBTQ community found dead in her apartment – Ashley Burton. FOX5 Atlanta. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlanta-hairdresser-found-dead-in-her-apartment
Ring, T. (2023, June 7). Suspect Charged With Murder of Atlanta Trans Woman Ashley Burton. Advocate. https://www.advocate.com/crime/ashley-burton-murder-suspect
11Alive. (2023a, April 12). Family wants justice for Atlanta hairstylist killed outside apartment – Ashley Burton. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkOHdXB-fs0
11Alive. (2023b, June 5). APD issues arrest warrant for suspect | Ashley Burton shooting death update. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvN5UU4hAQc
Crime Corner. (2023, August 29). Popular Transgender Hairstylist and Makeup Artist Shot And Killed In Atlanta | Ashley Burton Story. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km2yRwb1wcQ
Reckless Crime. (2023, November 26). View products 0:02 / 7:35 Popular Atlanta Transgender Makeup Artist and Hairstylist KILLED | Ashley Burton Story. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2taT9mJOV4
Images are publicly available through public sources, personal posts, family members and information websites as well as stills from cited videos and news websites. Images are digitally enhanced for artistic purposes. All information is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge at time of publishing. Updates will be made as needed.
