NEWS RELEASE
FCSO Arrests Fugitive Flagler Beach Man Wanted for Murdering Wife in Virginia in 2021
Date:Thursday, May 28, 2026
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a fugitive from justice wanted in Virginia for murdering his wife and hiding the circumstances of her death.
On May 26, the FCSO Criminal Intelligence Unit was contacted to assist with locating and apprehending a Virginia fugitive, Ross Butler, who was wanted for murder and known to be residing in Flagler County. Butler, 56, was wanted by the Chesterfield County Police Department in Virginia on a fugitive arrest warrant for first-degree murder, first-degree murder: abduction, felony homicide, and strangulation.
Detectives with the Flagler Beach Police Department had previously determined Butler was residing at a motel in Flagler Beach. Through investigative means, and working with the FCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit detectives determined he had recently been admitted to AdventHealth Palm Coast.
On May 27, after Butler was released from AdventHealth, Criminal Intelligence Unit detectives and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit apprehended him outside the hospital. Butler was taken to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed by Chesterfield County detectives.
After the interview, deputies transported Butler to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is currently being held without bond while awaiting extradition to Virginia.
Left: Criminal Intelligence Unit detectives and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit speak to Ross Butler outside AdventHealth Palm Coast prior to his arrest, Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Right: Criminal Intelligence Unit detectives and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit detain Ross Butler outside AdventHealth Palm Coast prior to his arrest, Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
“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.”
The Chesterfield County Police Department has been investigating Butler for over 4 years, following suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of his wife, Ashlee Butler, in December 2021. Although the death was reported as a suicide, detectives determined the evidence at the scene and the victim’s injuries were inconsistent with suicide, believing the scene had been staged after she was strangled to death. On May 18, 2026, a grand jury in Chesterfield indicted Butler on murder and strangulation charges.
Ross Butler (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
Chesterfield County Police are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact their non-emergency line at 804-748-1251 or Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.
Butler has a criminal history in Flagler County, with previous arrests for charges including driving while license suspended, DUI, and possession of marijuana.