Nearly four weeks after the disappearance of Ashley Elkins, her family continues to search tirelessly for the 30-year-old Michigan mom while her two young sons struggle to understand why she hasn’t come home.
Elkins, a hairstylist known for her devotion to her 7- and 10-year-old sons, was last seen on Jan. 2, 2025, at her Warren, Michigan, home. She left to run errands but never returned. According to her sister, Alexis Elkins, this behavior was entirely out of character.
“[Even] if she was planning to be gone for a long time, she would have called,” Alexis told PEOPLE. “She knows that her boys expect to hear from her.”
The impact on her children has been profound. Elkins’ 7-year-old son, unaware of the severity of the situation, still asks for his mother daily.
“After the vigil, he said, ‘Is mom coming out? Is she gonna call?’” Elkins’ mother, Monika, shared with PEOPLE. “He doesn’t understand at all. He still thinks mom’s coming home every day.”
Meanwhile, Elkins’ 10-year-old son has been grappling with the emotional toll of her disappearance, crying daily and suffering from nightmares.
Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Connection to Disappearance
Authorities have arrested Elkins’ ex-boyfriend, DeAndre Booker, in connection with the investigation. A search of his Roseville home revealed evidence of what police described as a “violent” encounter.
Booker has been charged with lying to police but has not faced charges directly related to Elkins’ disappearance.
Booker remains in jail on a $250,000 bond, with a court date scheduled for February.
Search Efforts Continue
On Jan. 13, police searched a landfill for Elkins’ body but found no evidence. As the investigation continues, Elkins’ family remains hopeful for answers.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been created to support her sons’ care.
“We’re not giving up,” said Maurice Morton, Elkins’ uncle. “We just want to bring her home.”
