Sentencing on June 9 after four counts all receive guilty verdict

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

An Exeter man has been found guilty of four felonies — including first-degree murder — by a Jasper County jury following a three-day trial April 14-16.

Aaron Malone, 24, of Exeter, was found guilty of first-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and armed criminal action, charges stemming from the death of Malone’s girlfriend, Aspen Lewis.

According to a press release from Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx, Malone was charged on Nov. 24, 2024 with Lewis’ murder, causing multiple injuries to her hear and neck.

“The evidence at trial was that Malone had struck the victim in the head multiple times, strangled her and shot her in the head,” Boxx’s release said. 

The investigation was conducted by the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Investigations Unit. The case was heard in Jasper County following a change of venue, and Assistant Attorneys General Melissa Pierce and Michael Schafer assisted Boxx in the prosecution.

According to the original probable cause statement, deputies were dispatched to a residence located in Exeter in reference to a possible abduction. Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with Malone, who reported Lewis, 24, was missing.

“Malone provided deputies with a verbal and written statement of Lewis being possibly abducted,” Boyd said in a November 2024 press release. “A criminal investigation began into the disappearance of Aspen Lewis. Inconsistencies were located in Aaron’s statement.”

According to a probable cause statement file by Det. Abby Parsons, physical evidence allegedly pointing to Malone included a blood stain on the roadway behind Malone’s truck, blood stains on his truck and disturbed parts of the gravel driveway where jewelry pieces were located on the ground.

Surveillance video also allegedly showed Malone’s truck arriving at the residence at 11:35 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2024. Shortly after, Parsons’ report said, screaming can be heard, and Malone left the residence at about 1:35 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2024, returning at about 4:10 a.m.

Malone made a 9-1-1 call before returning to the residence, Parsons reported.

On Nov. 26, 2024, Boyd and Maj. Angela Cole met with Malone and advised him they wanted to locate the victim, Boyd’s release said. Malone allegedly took authorities to where Lewis was located, deceased and covered with leaves and sticks in a wooded area near Shell Knob,.

Parsons’ report said Lewis had suffered extensive head trauma, and the remains of a burnt pink wool article of clothing, appearing to be a shirt, was also located in the roadway.

“Malone admitted to an altercation taking place and disposing of the body,” Boyd said.

Following the jury’s guilty verdict on all four counts, Malone was ordered to be held without bond and remanded to the custody of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office.

A sentencing assessment is to be filed before June 1, and sentencing is set for June 9 at 11 a.m. in Jasper County Circuit Court, Judge David Allen Cole presiding.

Malone is also facing a third-degree assault charge for an altercation in the Barry County jail, allegedly shoving the victim and causing him to fall and hit his head on a metal stool. Malone then left the cell and shut the door, which locked it. The victim sustained a laceration to the top right of his head and received medical treatment.