Ashley Bush's Murder Was Planned — Now the State Wants Justice
The promise of a job brought Ashley Bush to a parking lot in Maysville, Arkansas, one October morning in 2022. What followed was not a professional opportunity, but a carefully constructed trap — one that ended in tragedy and launched a complex legal battle across two states.
The Setup: A Facebook Message and a Promise
Ashley Bush, 33 and eight months pregnant, had been searching for ways to support her growing family when she connected online with someone named "Lucy." The woman behind the screen was actually Amber Waterman, who posed as a helpful stranger offering maternity clothes and a job interview in Bentonville. They agreed to meet in person on Oct. 31, 2022 — the day Bush was last seen alive.
What Happened Next: A Chilling Crime
Authorities say Waterman drove Bush from the meeting spot to her home in Pineville, Missouri. It was there that Waterman allegedly shot and killed Bush, then attempted to remove the unborn child from her womb. The fetus did not survive. Amber later called 911, claiming she had just given birth and the baby had died en route to the hospital. Police were suspicious, and Waterman eventually confessed.
The investigation uncovered more than a single act of violence. Federal prosecutors alleged that Waterman's husband, Jamie Waterman, helped dispose of Bush's remains. He reportedly tried to burn the body in a fire pit before transporting the remains to a remote area, where investigators later recovered them.
Legal Fallout: Life Sentences and More to Come
Amber Waterman pleaded guilty in federal court to two charges, kidnapping resulting in death and the death of a child in utero. She was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole in 2023.
But her legal troubles didn't end there.
The state of Arkansas is now pursuing capital murder charges. Waterman's defense team filed an appeal, arguing the state case would constitute double jeopardy. However, the Arkansas Supreme Court rejected that claim in May 2025. The justices ruled the state could proceed because the charges — state-level premeditated murder — differ in legal scope from the federal kidnapping case.
Prosecutors in Benton County, Arkansas, have said they plan to seek the death penalty. "The worst crimes need to carry the worst punishment, whatever that happens to be," Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Robinson said, according to KHBS, citing the Bush family's support for that decision, PEOPLE reports.
New Motions: Mental Fitness in Question
Just as the case moves toward trial, Waterman's attorneys are raising new concerns about her ability to stand trial. According to a recent court filing, she may have an abnormal growth in her brain. Her lawyers have requested medical testing, including an MRI and CT scan, to assess whether this growth affects her comprehension or ability to assist in her defense. Symptoms reportedly include seizures and difficulty with expression.
The court is expected to rule on that motion during her pretrial hearing in July.
A Case That Still Haunts
Ashley Bush's name and that of her unborn daughter, Valkyrie Grace Willis, now symbolize a case that has rattled two states and raised difficult questions — not just about online safety and the vulnerabilities of expectant mothers, but also about the limits of the justice system.
Even as Waterman sits behind bars, the story is far from over. With one conviction already in hand, prosecutors remain firm in their pursuit of what they believe to be full justice.
References:She Pretended to Help a Pregnant Woman. What She Did Next Was Unspeakable — and Now She May Face Death Penalty | Attorneys for Amber Waterman Say She Has an Abnormal Growth in Her Brain | US Woman Who Killed Pregnant Lady and Cut the Foetus From Her Body Faces Death Penalty | Woman Who Killed Pregnant Victim She Met on Facebook, Cut Fetus from Womb, 'Claimed' Child as Her Own to Face Death Penalty Trial After Double Jeopardy Appeal Rejected | Arkansas Supreme Court rejects Amber Waterman's double jeopardy appeal
