A man from Missouri, Nicholas Ayres, is facing serious charges in connection to the death of his girlfriend, Destiny Dunn, at a motel. He has been charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault, as per Columbia Police and Boone County jail records.
Details of the Incident
The incident began with Ayres calling 911 on August 12, around 3:22 p.m. He reported that Dunn was lying down, possibly without a heartbeat, and appeared “red and blue.” This raised suspicions leading to a full investigation.
“It looks like I f—ing beat her up and I promise to God I didn’t do it,” Ayres allegedly stated in the call.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Dunn had passed away. Bruises were visible all over her body, notably on her neck, face, and around her eyes.
Neighbors and Video Evidence
Neighbors in the adjacent room reported hearing noises of a physical struggle earlier that day. This information supported concerns about the nature of Dunn’s death.
Ayres, during questioning, admitted to having had physical altercations with Dunn. However, he described them as accidental. He firmly stated he “does not beat women.” Despite his claims, video evidence from earlier days showed Ayres assaulting Dunn.
In a video from August 10, Dunn appeared without any bruises. However, another recording showed Ayres physically attacking her multiple times. Additional footage from August 12 revealed Dunn’s deteriorating condition.
3-Hour Delay in 911 Call
A significant delay occurred between when Ayres first thought of calling 911 and when he actually called. At 12:21 p.m., just minutes after capturing distressing footage, Ayres mistakenly called 911 and later claimed it was accidental.
It took nearly three more hours until he made the call that brought law enforcement to the motel.
Ongoing Investigation and Family’s Remembrance
Authorities have classified Dunn’s death as a homicide, believing Ayres’s actions directly led to her demise. He is currently held without bond and has a court appearance scheduled for September 2.
In the aftermath, Dunn’s family remembers her warmly. Her sister, Marinah Hollon, conveyed her deep affection for Dunn in a GoFundMe post, describing her as loving, nurturing, and a devoted mother.
“She had a beautiful soul and a heart that cared deeply for the people around her,” Hollon expressed.
The investigation is still underway, with ongoing efforts to piece together the full scope of events leading to Dunn’s tragic death.