Boyfriend who covered dead girlfriend with ‘leaves and sticks’ in the woods, then claimed she was missing and possibly abducted learns shocking fate
A Missouri man who killed his girlfriend, concealed her body in a wooded area, and then attempted to convince authorities that she had gone missing and may have been abducted has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Aaron Malone, 24, was sentenced on June 9, 2026, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Aspen Lewis, also 24. The sentence came after a Jasper County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, abandonment of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
The case drew significant attention because of the disturbing efforts Malone allegedly made to mislead investigators after Lewis’ death and the gruesome manner in which her body was concealed in a remote wooded area.
Disappearance of Aspen Lewis
Missing Person Report Raises Alarm
The investigation began in November 2024 when Aaron Malone reported Aspen Lewis missing. According to court records and law enforcement officials, Malone told investigators that he believed Lewis may have been abducted.
Authorities immediately began examining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. However, detectives quickly became suspicious after identifying inconsistencies in Malone’s statements.
According to the probable cause affidavit, investigators noted that details provided by Malone did not align with evidence being collected during the investigation. These contradictions prompted authorities to take a closer look at Malone’s version of events.
Investigators Discover Suspicious Evidence
As detectives continued their investigation, they discovered a large blood stain in the roadway behind Malone’s truck. Additional blood evidence was located on the truck itself.
Investigators also observed signs that the gravel driveway near the residence had been disturbed. Pieces of jewelry were found scattered on the ground, further raising concerns that a violent confrontation may have occurred at the location.
These discoveries significantly undermined Malone’s claim that Lewis had simply disappeared or been abducted.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Critical Clues
Cameras Capture Disturbing Timeline
One of the most important breakthroughs in the case came from nearby surveillance footage.
According to investigators, video footage showed Malone’s truck arriving at the residence at approximately 11:35 p.m. on November 24, 2024.
Shortly after the vehicle arrived, screaming could reportedly be heard on the recording.
The footage later showed Malone’s truck leaving the residence around 1:35 a.m. before returning several hours later at approximately 4:10 a.m.
Authorities noted that Malone reported Lewis missing not long after returning, a timeline that further increased suspicion surrounding his account of events.
Confronted With Evidence
When investigators questioned Malone about the blood evidence and surveillance footage, the case took a dramatic turn.
According to court documents, Malone eventually agreed to take law enforcement officers to the location of Lewis’ body.
The decision effectively dismantled the story he had provided regarding a possible abduction and shifted the investigation toward a homicide case.
Discovery of Aspen Lewis’ Body
Body Found in Rural Barry County Woods
Following Malone’s directions, investigators traveled to a rural area in Barry County, Missouri.
As officers approached the location, they noticed the remains of a burned pink shirt lying in the roadway.
Moments later, Lewis’ body was discovered off the roadway in a wooded area.
Authorities reported that her remains had been concealed beneath leaves and sticks, an apparent attempt to hide the crime and delay discovery of the body.
Extensive Injuries Documented
Investigators determined that Lewis had suffered severe and extensive head trauma.
The probable cause affidavit stated that Malone later admitted an altercation had occurred and acknowledged disposing of Lewis’ body.
The condition of the victim and the evidence recovered at the scene painted a picture of an extremely violent attack.
Prosecutors Detail Brutal Killing
Repeated Assault, Strangulation, and Shooting
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence outlining the brutality of the crime.
According to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Malone repeatedly assaulted Lewis in the face before strangling her.
Prosecutors further stated that Malone ultimately shot Lewis before abandoning her body in the woods.
The combination of physical assault, strangulation, and gun violence demonstrated the deliberate and violent nature of the killing, supporting the charge of first-degree murder.
Efforts to Conceal the Crime
In addition to the murder charge, prosecutors argued that Malone took several steps to cover up the crime.
Authorities alleged that he transported and abandoned Lewis’ body in a remote area, concealed it with natural debris, and attempted to destroy or hide evidence connected to the killing.
His subsequent claim that Lewis was missing and possibly abducted formed a central component of the prosecution’s argument that he deliberately attempted to mislead investigators.
Jury Reaches Quick Verdict
Conviction After Three-Day Trial
The case proceeded to trial in Jasper County, where jurors heard testimony from investigators, reviewed forensic evidence, and examined surveillance footage.
After a three-day trial, jurors deliberated for approximately one hour before reaching a verdict.
The jury found Aaron Malone guilty of:
- First-degree murder
- Armed criminal action
- Abandonment of a corpse
- Tampering with physical evidence
The relatively short deliberation period suggested that jurors found the prosecution’s evidence overwhelming.
Sentencing and Final Outcome
Life Without Possibility of Parole
On June 9, 2026, Malone appeared before the court for sentencing.
The judge imposed a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, ensuring that Malone will spend the remainder of his life in prison.
The sentence brought a legal conclusion to a case that began with a missing-person report but ultimately revealed a calculated effort to conceal a brutal homicide.
Lasting Impact of the Case
The murder of Aspen Lewis shocked communities across Missouri and highlighted how investigators were able to unravel a false missing-person narrative through forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and persistent investigative work.
What initially appeared to be a possible abduction quickly evolved into a homicide investigation after detectives uncovered blood evidence, inconsistencies in witness statements, and surveillance footage that contradicted Malone’s account.
The discovery of Lewis’ body hidden beneath leaves and sticks in the woods became one of the most haunting details of the case, while the swift jury verdict and life-without-parole sentence underscored the severity of the crimes committed.
For Aspen Lewis’ family and loved ones, the sentencing marked the end of a long legal process and ensured accountability for the woman whose life was violently taken in November 2024.
