Nicholas Ayres, 35, faces second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault charges after his girlfriend, Destiny Dunn, 37, was found dead at a Columbia, Missouri, motel. Police said the investigation began with Ayres’ 911 call on Aug. 12 and developed into a homicide case after officers examined the room and his cellphone. Investigators allege the phone contained recordings showing assaults in the days before Dunn’s death and events shortly before emergency responders arrived.
| 1) | Emergency call and discovery at the motel |
| 2) | Physical evidence and witness accounts |
| 3) | Cellphone recordings examined by investigators |
| 4) | Charges, custody status and court schedule |
| 5) | Family remembers Dunn as a mother |
Emergency call and discovery at the motel
The case began at about 3:22 p.m. on Aug. 12, when Ayres called 911 from a motel in Columbia and reported that Dunn was lying down, might have a heartbeat and appeared red and blue. He told the dispatcher that the couple had argued in the shower and that Dunn fell after he left.
During the call, Ayres allegedly acknowledged that they had been fighting and that Dunn was bruised. Officers arrived about a minute after the call and found Dunn dead. A probable cause statement said she had bruising across her body, including severe injuries to her neck and face, along with swollen and discolored eyelids.
“It looks like I f—ing beat her up and I promise to God I didn’t do it,” Ayres allegedly told the dispatcher.
Physical evidence and witness accounts
Investigators said neighbors who shared a wall with the room heard what sounded like a physical altercation at about 11 a.m. on Aug. 12. The account helped investigators establish a timeline before Ayres’ emergency call and supported the homicide investigation at the motel.
After Ayres was taken into custody, investigators interviewed him after advising him of his rights. He allegedly admitted that he and Dunn had physical altercations on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, but described them as accidental and said he does not beat women. Police also photographed what the affidavit described as defensive wounds on Ayres’ left wrist and torso.
Cellphone recordings examined by investigators
Police searched the motel room and found Ayres’ cellphone. Investigators said its contents included photographs and videos recorded between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, providing an alleged timeline of Dunn’s condition and the couple’s interactions before her death.
One Aug. 10 recording reportedly showed Dunn without facial bruising. A later video allegedly showed Ayres assaulting her repeatedly for more than a minute, with sounds of slapping and punching. Investigators said another recording from Aug. 12 showed Dunn in a bathtub wearing only a shirt and barely moving. A subsequent video allegedly captured Ayres pacing between the motel room and bathroom while Dunn could be heard groaning.
“I have to because I’m not going down for manslaughter,” Ayres allegedly said in the recording.
Investigators said Ayres called 911 at 12:21 p.m., but described the call as accidental and disconnected after confirming his identity and location. The call that brought officers to the motel came roughly three hours later.
Charges, custody status and court schedule
Columbia police determined Dunn’s death was a homicide and alleged in the probable cause statement that Ayres assaulted her to the point that she died from her injuries. The allegations remain part of the criminal case, and Ayres has not been convicted.
Ayres is being held without bond, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2. Police said the investigation remains ongoing as the case proceeds.
Family remembers Dunn as a mother
Destiny Dunn, a 37-year-old mother from Kansas City, Missouri, was remembered by her family as a loving and caring person. Her sister, Marinah Hollon, said Dunn’s death left her children facing life without their mother.
“She had a beautiful soul and a heart that cared deeply for the people around her,” Hollon wrote.
Hollon also said Dunn brought love and kindness to people around her and that no family should have to endure such heartbreak. The family statements came as investigators continued working on the homicide case.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dunn was found dead at a Columbia motel on Aug. 12. |
| 2 | Ayres faces second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault charges. |
| 3 | Investigators said cellphone recordings documented alleged assaults and Dunn’s deteriorating condition. |
| 4 | Ayres is being held without bond and is scheduled for court on Sept. 2. |
Summary
The investigation into Dunn’s death moved from an emergency response to a homicide prosecution after police reviewed physical evidence, witness accounts and cellphone recordings. Ayres remains in custody while prosecutors pursue the charges, and police have said the investigation is continuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is charged in the case?
Nicholas Ayres, 35, is charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault.
Where was Dunn found?
Dunn was found dead in a motel in Columbia, Missouri, on Aug. 12.
What happens next?
Ayres is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
