A man wanted in Virginia for the murder of his wife was arrested in Flagler County last week after spending years living quietly at the beach while investigators worked to build a case against him.
Ross Butler, 56, was taken into custody on May 27, 2026, outside AdventHealth Palm Coast by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Intelligence Unit and Fugitive Apprehension Unit. He is being held without bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility while awaiting extradition to Virginia.
Butler faces a fugitive arrest warrant from the Chesterfield County Police Department in Virginia on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder: abduction, felony homicide, and strangulation.
A Death Ruled Suicide — Until Investigators Looked Closer
The case stems from the death of Butler’s wife, Ashlee Butler, in December 2021. The death was initially reported as a suicide, but Chesterfield County detectives determined that the evidence at the scene and the injuries sustained by the victim were inconsistent with that conclusion. Investigators believe the scene was staged after Ashlee Butler was strangled to death.
The Chesterfield County Police Department investigated the case for more than four years. On May 18, 2026 — just days before Butler’s arrest — a grand jury in Chesterfield formally indicted him on murder and strangulation charges.
Multi-Agency Effort Led to Capture
On May 26, the FCSO Criminal Intelligence Unit was contacted to help locate and apprehend Butler, who was known to be living in Flagler County. Detectives with the Flagler Beach Police Department had already identified him as residing at a local motel.
Through further investigation, detectives learned Butler had recently been admitted to AdventHealth Palm Coast. Officers waited, and when he was released from the hospital on May 27, the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested him outside the building. He was then transported to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, where Chesterfield County detectives conducted an interview before he was booked into the detention facility.
“This case is an excellent example of teamwork and serves as a warning to fugitives that you can’t avoid the long arm of the law, especially in Flagler County,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This guy thought he could get away with murder and live the rest of his life at the beach. Thanks to cooperation between our Criminal Intelligence Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Chesterfield County Police Department, and the Flagler Beach Police Department, he’s hiding out no longer and will soon be headed back to Virginia to face justice.”
Prior Criminal History in Flagler County
Records show Butler had a prior criminal history in Flagler County, with previous arrests for driving with a suspended license, DUI, and possession of marijuana.
Chesterfield County Police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chesterfield County non-emergency line at 804-748-1251 or Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.
The post Fugitive Wanted for Wife’s 2021 Murder Captured at Flagler Beach After Four Years on the Run first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
