A woman from Billings, Montana, has been charged with deliberate homicide after a man was fatally stabbed earlier this week. The Yellowstone County District Court set her bond at $500,000 during a recent hearing, as police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the deadly incident.
According to court records and local police reports, the woman—identified as 34-year-old Ashley Marie Crawford—was arrested shortly after authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a residence in the Heights neighborhood of Billings. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials later confirmed the identity of the man as 36-year-old Jason D. Hanson, a resident of Billings. The two were reportedly acquaintances, although the exact nature of their relationship has not yet been disclosed by law enforcement.
According to the affidavit filed by investigators, officers found a blood-stained knife near the body and noted signs of a struggle inside the home. Witnesses in the area reported hearing raised voices and what sounded like a fight shortly before the incident took place.
Following the stabbing, Crawford reportedly fled the scene but was located by authorities just a few blocks away. She was taken into custody without resistance. During questioning, police say Crawford gave conflicting accounts of what happened. She initially denied being at the residence but later admitted she had been involved in an altercation with Hanson.
During her first court appearance, prosecutors argued that the severity of the crime and Crawford’s inconsistent statements justified the high bond amount. The judge agreed, citing the violent nature of the offense and the risk of flight as reasons for setting bond at $500,000.
The prosecution emphasized the brutal details of the crime, including the number of wounds inflicted and the fact that the victim was unarmed. They also noted that Crawford has a prior criminal history, including charges related to domestic violence and drug use.
Crawford’s defense attorney requested a lower bond, arguing that she had strong ties to the community and no history of failing to appear in court. However, the judge sided with the prosecution and maintained the bond amount.
The case has left many residents in Billings shaken, especially those who live in the normally quiet neighborhood where the stabbing occurred. Some neighbors have spoken to local media, expressing their shock and concern over the violent crime. One neighbor said they had occasionally seen the suspect and victim together but never imagined such a tragic end.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, including reviewing security camera footage from nearby homes and businesses. They are also awaiting results from forensic testing of the weapon and other items recovered from the scene. Authorities have not yet stated whether they believe the act was premeditated or the result of a spontaneous argument that escalated into violence.
Crawford is currently being held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. If convicted of deliberate homicide under Montana law, she could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty, though Montana has not carried out a death sentence in over two decades.
The court has scheduled a preliminary hearing for later this month, where more details may come to light about what led to the deadly altercation. The county attorney’s office said they are considering additional charges depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
As the legal process moves forward, many in the community are watching closely, hoping for justice and answers in a case that has already caused significant grief and alarm. Homicide is relatively rare in Billings, which has seen a rise in violent crime in recent years, prompting concern among residents and local leaders.
