Capital Murder Charges In The Tragic Case Of Ashley Bush

Amber Waterman, currently serving two life sentences, now faces state capital murder charges for the gruesome death of pregnant Ashley Bush and her unborn child.

Quick Takes

Amber Waterman sentenced to two life terms for previously kidnapping and killing Ashley Bush.
The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed Waterman’s double jeopardy claim.
Waterman used social media to lure Bush under false pretenses.
State prosecutors seek the death penalty at a forthcoming trial.

Grisly Details Emerge

Amber Waterman, 44, from Pineville, Missouri, had already been sentenced to two life terms for the murder of Ashley Bush and her unborn child. Waterman used a false Facebook identity to contact Bush, a 33-year-old pregnant woman from Arkansas. Waterman deceitfully offered to help Bush find a job, only to kidnap her and bring her to Pineville. Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant at the time, suffered a horrific fate when Waterman cut the unborn child from her womb.

Amber Waterman, 44, of #Missouri, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole for the brutal murder of Ashley Bush, 33, and her unborn child in October 2022

Waterman lured the pregnant Bush using a fake Facebook identity, promising a job opportunity

After… pic.twitter.com/c6DehVRGCt

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 18, 2024

Bush’s body was found near Waterman’s property in Missouri while her unborn child, Valkyrie Willis, was discovered separately. Amber initially claimed to have birthed the baby in a truck, but later confessed to authorities that the child was indeed Bush’s, who died due to her kidnapping and subsequent murder.

State Pursues Death Penalty

The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed Waterman’s appeal to avoid state prosecution based on double jeopardy grounds. With federal life sentences already imposed, state prosecutors are now seeking capital punishment. Waterman’s lawyers argued that the forthcoming state trial constitutes double jeopardy since she was previously convicted federally. Yet, prosecutors refute this, emphasizing the distinct charges of premeditated and deliberate capital murder under state law.

Benton County Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Robinson said of Waterman’s alleged actions that “the worst crimes need to carry the worst punishment, whatever that happens to be.”

Benton County prosecutors are taking this stance partly due to pleas from Bush’s family, who are deeply affected by her untimely and tragic death. Ashley Bush’s fiancé, Joshua Willis, family members, and the community are all demanding justice. Family voices have described their suffering and desire for a penalty that matches the severity of Waterman’s crimes, emphasizing the enduring pain caused by her actions.

Upcoming Judicial Development

Looking forward, Waterman is scheduled to appear at a critical pretrial hearing on July 7. Her defense team is actively seeking a mental evaluation for her and requesting to exclude references to her federal trial during state proceedings. Meanwhile, her husband, Jamie Waterman, confessed to aiding in disposing of Bush’s body and faces a separate 15-year federal sentence for being an accessory after the fact. Investigators and the U.S. Attorney for Western Missouri confirmed Waterman’s confessions to both murders, further solidifying the charges against her at the state level.

This escalating legal battle continues to draw attention as both sides prepare for trial. Should the jury in Arkansas rule against Waterman, it could result in the ultimate penalty of capital punishment foreshadowing further developments in this high-profile case.