Ashley Keen died in an apparent suicide, but her ex-boyfriend still faces charges in her attack
But the 39-year-old woman’s family believes there is more to her death, and authorities accuse her ex-boyfriend in court records of violently attacking her. Cincinnati police arrested Dearies Washington , 32, of Roselawn, last fall after a lengthy standoff on charges of felonious assault, strangulation, domestic violence and inducing panic.
Ashley Keen died when her SUV went into the Ohio River on Jan. 28, 2026. It was ruled an apparent suicide. Keen‘s mother, Angie Smith, says her daughter was a breast cancer survivor with a big heart and only knew Washington for eight months.
“I felt it, and I told her — ‘Ashley, he’s evil. That man is evil. Stay away from him,’“ Smith recalled.
“She was a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, mother. She put everybody before herself and she felt she could save this person. ” When Washington returned to court this week as he continues to vigorously fight the charges, prosecutors urged the judge to deny a flurry of motions he filed as he seeks a change of venue, dismissal of all charges and a reduced bond, among many requests.
He is disputing what prosecutors say is strong evidence that he assaulted and strangled Keen in an East Price Hill apartment on Sept. 17, 2025. Cincinnati police responded after Keen’s mother called 911, reporting her daughter was “sobbing and crying” and that Washington had “just beat the sh-- out of her,” “strangled her,” with “blood everywhere,” and had taken her keys and phone, according to the state’s court filing.
Officers wrote in court records that Keen came out of the apartment crying, holding her wrist, with blood on her dress and a head laceration. She told them her “ex-boyfriend beat the sh-- out of me,” adding she feared retaliation: “I’m going to get beat,” according to the court filing.
It describes blood smears and spatter inside the apartment and says Keen told officers Washington accused her of cheating, threw her to the floor, threw her against a wall, and choked her unconscious on the bed. Prosecutors cite hospital records documenting a black eye, scalp laceration closed with four staples, bruising, neck injury, and a fractured wrist placed in a splint. The state also highlights jail calls that show Washington pressuring Keen not to cooperate and pushing a false story.
The contact went right up until a week before she died, court records show. In one call, prosecutors quote him calling it “just domestic for real” and saying it “should be a DV.
” Prosecutors allege he was so relentless, he left her 5 messages in a single day in November, including one with a draft of an introduction to a motion to dismiss the charges In other calls, the filing says he told Keen, “don’t come to court,” and coached her to claim she “did fentanyl” and “slipped and hit your head,” despite her medical records showing she tested negative for fentanyl/oxycodone. Prosecutors argue his indictment is valid, the victim couldn’t force dismissal under Marsy’s Law, and there’s no evidence of “vindictive prosecution.
” They also opposed lowering his bond, citing the evidence, alleged witness tampering, and Washington’s criminal history. It includes prior robbery and assault convictions. What’s more, the month before the September attack, Washington was charged with domestic violence on Keen, but the case was dismissed “for want of prosecution,” court records show. It was excruciating for them, especially when Washington claimed he didn’t know why she wasn’t there.
Hearing that, her mother said “was like it was a stab at my heart. Because I’m going to tell you, he knows. He knew before I knew. ” Smith says investigators told her that her daughter spoke to Washington the day she drove into the river.
“I went home at lunch and she was getting ready for an interview and I was so happy to tell her that she looked great, she was beautiful, and that I loved her and she’s got this. During the hearing, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher McDowell rejected Washington’s request for a lower bond.
“The defendant represents a serious danger to the community. He is a serious—“ the judge was still speaking when Washington interrupted him.
“But I got probation for all those offenses you’re naming, Your Honor,” he told the judge, who wasn’t swayed. “No, I went to prison once,” Washington insisted. “You might as well make it a million, Your Honor. I can’t post it anyway,” Washington protested.
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Fox19 19 Fox News Channel Cincinnati FOX 19 Channel 19 News Woman Who Drove SUV Into Ohio River Was Domestic V Ashley Keen Died By Suicide But More To Her Death Dearies Washington Angie Smith Talks About Her Daughter Ashley Keen Domestic Violence Victim Dies By Suicide Dearies Washington Charged With Abusing Woman Befo Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christoph
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