Mother of three killed in Waterford; police have boyfriend in custody

WATERFORD, Mich. (WJBK) - Police in Waterford are investigating the death of a 26-year-old mother.

Ashley Rich, formerly known as Ashley Ellis and Ashley Barrett, was shot to death at an apartment complex, allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend. He's in police custody right now but has not yet been charged.

Ashley leaves behind three children, ages 10, 8 and 3.

"Outgoing; amazing; a great mother. A great sister; you could call her about anything," says Annette Ellis.

"I lived with her a few times; she's a good sister," says Teri Ellis.

The 26-year-old was shot in the back early Sunday morning at the Ashton Pines Apartments in Waterford, off Pontiac Lake Road and North Oakland Boulevard. Her family says the man in custody has a history of violent and abusive behavior.

"I work at the Highland McDonalds and he'd come up with a gun in his lap, asking where her ex-husband lived because he thought there was things going on or whatever, and that he was going to go kill him," Teri says.

"She had a short sleeved shirt on and she had bruises all over, and I asked her where they came from, and she said it was him. So, I knew he was physically abusing her," Annette says.

Ashley graduated from Lakeland High School in 2009 and worked at a local 7-Eleven. Her family says she had a troubled past but was making a comeback with her life.

"She went through a lot of struggles and she's always made it out on top. She was an amazing person," Annette says.

Her sisters wish now they'd said or done something sooner to pull her out of harm's way.

Waterford Township police are continuing to investigate.

In the meantime, if you'd like to make a donation to help Ashley's family with the funeral costs, you can do so via their GoFundMe account here.