The Mystery of the Missing Muncie Mom

Ashley Morris Mullis of Muncie (Royerton area), Indiana, was a 27-year-old mother of three who devoted her life and love to her children. Friends described her as "the most beautiful person in the world." Ashley was well loved and kind, caring, and compassionate to those she cared about. An honest, dedicated woman, Ashley was a human being worth having around as she left nothing but happiness wherever she went.

Ashley attended a family reunion on September 22nd, 2013, despite having birthed her third child two weeks prior; her priorities clearly sat firmly with her family, and nothing seemed amiss on that comfortably cool day of celebration.

No one knew it would be the last time anyone would see her.

After the Reunion

Ashley left the reunion and after a few days of her father and other family members unable to make contact, her home was visited and a note left on the door to contact someone upon receiving the note. When a call didn’t come, her parents returned to her home a few days later to find their note had vanished and the house remained empty. A second note was left, only to go missing the same as the first.

The search continues to this day.

A Little Backstory

In 2012, Ashley (legally separated from her husband at this point) had troubles arise with the transmission of her vehicle. She sought mechanical assistance through North American Discount Muffler & Brake owned by a man named Daniel York, Sr. She became friendly with Mr. York, who was married and approximately twice Ashley’s age. The two formed a closer bond, and within months Ashley was provided a vehicle and a rental home to live in, both provided by York. After the car and home were gifted, Ashley became pregnant with a child who belonged to the man who seemed to love her despite being married. When Ashley gave birth to the child, Don Morris (Ashley’s father) shared that Mr. York did not allow Ashley’s parents at the hospital to visit her and their granddaughter. This, I feel, was an early red flag for future issues.

Things Get Stranger

Time passed until September of 2013 arrived when everything changed for the Morris family. After both notes requesting contact went missing, a frustrated Don contacted Mr. York to question his knowledge regarding the whereabouts of Ashley. York responded by explaining that he had given Ashley $15,000 to move to Virginia; allegedly, it was Ashley’s decision to leave Indiana. Don found this suspicious, as he knew his daughter would never leave her children behind no matter what life decision she made. Even if she had, she had no reason not to answer her phone or reassure her parents that she was okay. It was at this point that Ashley’s parents chose to approach the police with a missing persons case.

Unfortunately, it was discovered that the sheriff involved in the case was allegedly related to York, and that wasn’t the worst discovery: York was also a person of interest in a homicide case that occurred four years before Ashley went missing.

It Gets Worse

In September of 2015 after having moved to Florida, Daniel York Sr. passed away and took whatever knowledge he had with him.

With Ashley missing and her youngest child’s father deceased, Mrs. York was able to utilize proper loopholes to adopt her late husband’s young child. Not only did the Morris family lose their daughter, their granddaughter’s custody is in the hands Mrs. York. Pouring salt on an open wound compares little to the pain this family suffers with this situation. Though multiple lawyers have been obtained for the fight, there is no light at the end of the tunnel that will bring Ashley’s daughter back to the Morris family.

A Few Thoughts I Have

The ex-husband: Not much has been reported or known regarding his potential involvement, but I'm inclined to believe he had nothing to do with Ashley's disappearance. Ashley had been using a car and house from York, and I can't imagine a former spouse taking such an interest in Ashley's love life that he would remove the mother of his children. It's possible, but not probable, in my opinion.

Daniel York, Sr: I think the information provided makes it clear that his involvement was far beyond providing money to "move." The motive is there: an affair, a child born from it, taking care of her, upsetting his wife in all of these revelations, and so on. Where is the evidence, though? Her body has been sought in multiple potential locations and each one has come up empty. Cadaver dogs have failed to locate any remains. Whatever he might have done, he took care of it thoroughly. My interest would be in investigating his bank accounts and business funds to seek the supposed $15,000 that was allegedly given to Ashley for a new life. There have to be other avenues to explore in relation to her disappearance. Let's not forget, he was also a person of interest for another homicide.

Mrs. York: What was the purpose in adopting Ashley and Mr. York's daughter? Could it have been guilt due to knowing what her husband did to the child's mother? I suspect she may have had an involvement in plotting the disappearance of Ashley Morris Mullis, but we can only speculate, unfortunately. If it were me, I would struggle with adopting a child born from an affair my husband committed against the sanctity of our marriage.

In General: I find it strange that the police have not been able to uncover better information or evidence. Many Muncie natives aware of the story theorize that the police have not put forth their best efforts due to Mr. York's potential connection with an investigator. Ashley's disappearance circumstances are obvious, cut and dry, and any investigator would put these pieces together and exert maximum effort in bringing a suspect in for the real story. Is there corruption, or is there really not enough evidence to go on?

Hope Still Lives and Love Never Dies

I lived in Muncie for 16 years. When Ashley was first reported missing, I recall driving to work and seeing Don Morris on various street corners, holding signs and pleading for help and hope. After a few weeks of seeing him, I admired his dedication. It wasn’t until I came across him again, one year later, and felt broken by the depth of his devotion to Ashley. There’s nothing quite like sitting at a stop sign and gazing into the broken eyes of a man whose loss and pain have aged his body, yet somehow you sense a powerful energy entirely fueled by love and determination. Ashley was just that beautiful of a soul.

The family still accepts interviews and news stories to this day regarding Ashley’s disappearance, and they always, without fail, insist that she will come home. It’s a beautiful tragedy, but their hope carries them like birds with mended wings. It’s not an easy flight, but they follow the winds and never give up hope. If there’s anything this true crime story can teach us, it’s that true love does exist, and it’s not always from a significant other.

Ashley's absence has impacted the entire community of Muncie, Indiana. Vigils have been held while volunteers have taken up posts throughout town to hold up Ashley's photo. A Facebook page was started to help the family spread the word. I don't think I've ever met a soul in that town who didn't know Ashley's story. She was an important aspect to the community, and everyone feels her loss along with Mr. and Mrs. Morris and Ashley's children.

Don Morris, in the year 2021, still posts flyers and stands on corners. If that’s not love, I’m not quite sure how else to define it.

If you have any tips or information, please contact Detective Kurt Walthour, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 765-747-7881.

Sources for Photos and Additional Case Information:

A Mystery in Muncie: Lighting the Path to Bring Ashley Morris Mullis Home

True Case Files