No possibility of parole for man who killed Exeter woman

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

An Exeter man has been sentenced to life without the possibility for parole for killing his girlfriend at their home in Exeter.

Following a three-day jury trial in Jasper County in April, Aaron Malone, 24, was found guilty on four counts, including first-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence in a felony and armed criminal action.

Malone was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder count, and three years imprisonment in the Department of Corrections for each of the other three counts, running concurrently with the life sentence. Prior to the sentencing, Malone’s motion for a new trial was overruled, as there was no legal cause or reason having been shown why the sentence and judgment of the court should not be pronounced.

Malone was released from the Barry County jail on June 12 for transport to the Department of Corrections.

According to an April press release from Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx, Malone was charged on Nov. 24, 2024 with the murder of Aspen Lewis, his former girlfriend, 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.

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.