Nicholas Ayres, a 35-year-old man from Missouri, faces serious charges following the death of his girlfriend, Destiny Dunn, aged 37. Ayres has been charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault. These charges stem from a disturbing incident at a motel in Columbia, Missouri, according to local police and Boone County jail records.
The situation unfolded on August 12 at 3:22 p.m., when Ayres called 911. He reported that Dunn appeared to be lying down with a heartbeat, but looked “red and blue.” This information came from a probable cause statement (PCS) accessed by Fox News Digital.
Ayres alleged that an altercation occurred while both were in the shower, leading to Dunn’s fall. As more questions about Dunn’s condition arose, Ayres admitted to fighting with her. He mentioned her bruised appearance, but insisted that he did not harm her.
“It looks like I beat her up, but I swear I didn’t,” Ayres reportedly told the dispatcher, who then guided him through chest compressions.
Police officers arrived shortly after and discovered Dunn deceased. The affidavit describes significant bruising on her body, including her neck, face, and swollen eyelids.
Neighbors in the motel recounted hearing a physical confrontation that morning, around 11 a.m. Based on this and other evidence, investigators charged Ayres and took him into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Ayres referred to previous altercations with Dunn on August 11 and 12, which he claimed were accidental.
Investigators searched the motel room and found Ayres’ cellphone. The contents revealed a troubling sequence of events from days leading to Dunn’s passing. A video recorded on August 10 depicted Dunn without facial bruises. Another video later that night allegedly captured Ayres assaulting her, telling Dunn to “clean up her mess” amid slapping and punching sounds.
A different recording at 12:06 p.m. on August 12 showed Dunn in a bathtub, barely moving. Subsequently, at 12:21 p.m., Ayres made a 911 call but described it as accidental before hanging up.
Three hours later, the confirmed call at 3:22 p.m. led officers to the motel. Photographs taken by police displayed defensive wounds on Ayres’ body, including his left wrist and torso.
According to the PCS, an officer suggested Ayres’ physical assaults were severe enough to result in Dunn’s death, classifying it as a homicide. Jail records indicate Ayres is detained without bond with a court appearance set for September 2.
Dunn’s family mourns her loss. Her sister, Marinah Hollon, referred to Dunn as a “loving, nurturing, and incredibly sweet person” in a GoFundMe post. She highlighted Dunn’s role as a mother and the void left in her children’s lives.
The Columbia Police Department states that the investigation is still active.