Metro

Cops ID woman found decomposed in Bronx apartment alongside boyfriend

Authorities identified the woman whose body was found decomposed alongside her boyfriend in a Bronx apartment over the weekend — as investigators probe the case as a murder-suicide, according to police sources. 

Ashley Ducille, 29, and a 40-year-old man believed to be her boyfriend were found dead in the apartment on Creston Avenue around 5:40 p.m. Saturday after a downstairs neighbor noticed maggots falling from her ceiling, cops and police sources said. 

The bodies were decomposed, and it appeared they had been in the apartment for about two weeks, according to the sources. 

The building superintendent told The Post he knocked hard on Ducille’s door after reports of the maggots and noticed a horrible smell wafting from inside.

He hoped she had just left some trash out, but when she didn’t answer he called the police and they advised him to force the door open.

“I felt like my heart was gonna come out,” said the super, who did not want to be identified.

Cops confirmed Tuesday that Ducille was the victim of a homicide. The case is being investigated as a murder-suicide — with the man believed to have shot Ducille, and then himself, according to police sources. 

A building resident told authorities they thought they heard gunshots around that time, but never reported it to police, sources said.

Police found the decaying bodies of Ashley Ducille and a 40-year-old man believed to be her boyfriend on November 13, 2021 after tents complained about maggots in the building.
Police found the decaying bodies of Ashley Ducille and a 40-year-old man believed to be her boyfriend on November 13, 2021, after tenants complained about maggots in the building.
Tomas E. Gaston
The bodies were decomposed, and it appeared they had been in the apartment for about two weeks according to cops.
The bodies were decomposed, and it appeared they had been in the apartment for about two weeks, according to cops. Tomas E. Gaston

Two recent domestic complaints reported to police — one from August and another in September — were linked to the address where the bodies were found Saturday, sources said.

The super said he changed the lock on Ducille’s door several times after a series of tumultuous romantic relationships.

People in the building said they knew her latest romance was rocky, too.

“She was scared, she was trying to leave him but he didn’t understand that. She would call the cops on him,” the super said. “It was crazy.”

Sometimes, he’d hear screaming from inside the apartment – and residents of the building described the boyfriend as an intimidating presence in the halls.

“He was a serious guy, his face was like he don’t joke around… he didn’t laugh, he was always serious,” the super said.

Building resident Moudou Sencor, 35, said the boyfriend was “always sad.”

“Don’t talk to anyone … someone you wouldn’t say hi to,” Sencor said.

A Facebook page several neighbors and friends said belonged to the boyfriend shows him pointing a handgun toward the camera.

Resident Dtahjah Devone, 22, said she became friends with Ducille and bonded over their interests in fashion and makeup.

“She was a very good person, very good friend, she was there when I needed her the most,” Devone said.

“Great mom, very caring and loving to her kids. She just needed some guidance, to be loved on. She loved to be around good vibes, loved to party, dress up, look pretty. She was a really good, fun outgoing person.

“I was so shocked … I wish I could’ve been there for her more.”

Devone’s sister, Kenisha Best, said it wasn’t odd that no one in the building had heard from Ducille for a while.

“She was a hell of a mother, she worked for the EMT when we first became friends,” Best said. “She would give you the shirt off her back.”