New court documents reveal details about how an 18-year-old from San Tan Valley allegedly plotted to murder his mother following a series of disputes.
Authorities have charged Alan Ashcroft with stabbing and killing his mother, Mary Collier, 38, in a field in San Tan Valley earlier this week.
On Wednesday at 9:04 a.m., Pinal County deputies received a report about a woman’s body discovered in a field south of Skyline Drive. The victim reportedly had blood around her mouth and a broken kitchen knife lying beside her. Authorities confirmed her identity at the scene.
Seven minutes later, at 9:11 a.m., deputies received a report of a kidnapping involving Collier. Court documents indicate Ashcroft told the 911 dispatcher that his mother had gone for a walk in a nearby field and that “something really bad occurred.”
Ashcroft claimed that unknown individuals had taken his mother while he stayed home with his father and two brothers. When the dispatcher asked to speak to Ashcroft’s brother, he confirmed that his brother and mother had gone for a walk, and Ashcroft had returned home alone.
According to court documents, when Ashcroft returned home, he “appeared shaken and had blood on him.”
Upon deputies’ arrival, Ashcroft attempted to flee but was apprehended. He reportedly asked the deputies to shoot him in the head and stated he was “not innocent,” as per the court paperwork. He was later hospitalized for a neck wound.
Alan Ashcroft was booked into jail on Thursday afternoon in connection with the death of his mother, Mary Collier, as reported by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities interviewed Ashcroft’s brothers, who indicated that he and their mother had ongoing arguments and had not spoken for three days. The night before Collier’s death, Ashcroft allegedly yelled, “I hate you” at her.
On the morning of the murder, court documents state that the mother and son took a walk to discuss their issues. However, when Ashcroft returned home alone and his brother noticed red stains on his hands, Ashcroft claimed it was ketchup, according to deputies.
When one brother asked where their mother was, Ashcroft did not respond. Court documents indicate that the family noticed Ashcroft’s behavior was “off,” and he avoided looking at them when questioned about Collier’s whereabouts. Eventually, Ashcroft claimed she had been kidnapped.
Deputies found footprints in the dirt that matched Ashcroft’s shoes, and blood-stained clothes were discovered in the bathroom.
While searching the home, authorities reportedly found a journal in Ashcroft’s bedroom that appeared to detail the murder plot.
One entry read: “My mother needs to be destroyed, for her own good. Do it if you want to save her soul. Someone wants to take your place, fight! The time is now!”
After being released from the hospital on Thursday, Ashcroft was booked into jail. During an interview with deputies, he allegedly said he decided to kill his mother on Wednesday while writing in his journal.
According to court paperwork, while Collier waited for Ashcroft outside before their walk, he went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife.
Once in the field, the two sat on hay bales. Ashcroft allegedly told deputies he saw this as “an opportunity to kill his mother,” but hesitated. When Collier saw the knife, she asked Ashcroft to give it to her, leading to a struggle.
Court documents state that Ashcroft head-butted his mother, pinned her down, and stabbed her in the neck. He then turned her over and covered her with his jacket before leaving the scene.
Ashcroft is facing one count of first-degree murder.