Prosecutors will not seek death penalty in killing, dismembering of Boulder mom

BOULDER, Colo. -- Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing and dismembering Boulder mother Ashley Mead.

Adam Densmore, 32, learned of the prosecution’s decision during a court appearance Monday. He was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse.

Part of Mead’s body was found in a dumpster in Oklahoma; investigators believe her body was at least partially dismembered outside of Shreveport, Louisiana and parts of her body could be spread across communities through which Densmore traveled earlier this month.

Investigators believe Densmore killed Mead in Boulder and then left the city on Feb. 12. Mead and her daughter, Winter, were reported missing two days later. Densmore was arrested and the girl placed in protective custody in Oklahoma on Feb. 15.

Densmore’s exact route across the country is unclear but officials said part of Mead’s body could be in a purple suitcase somewhere between Colorado and Oklahoma. Investigators said anyone who spots such a suitcase in an odd location should call police right away.

On Friday, police released documentsdetailing how police came to learn Mead was murdered, and why they believe the father of her child committed the crime. 

Learn more about the search for the suitcase and how you can help here.