Formal murder charges filed in case of Tinder date killing
May 28, 2020, 7:55 AM
24-year old Ethan Hunsaker is accused of killing a woman he had met Saturday night on a Tinder date. Photo courtesy Layton Police.
LAYTON, Utah — The man who reportedly called police to admit he killed a woman he met on Tinder has been formally charged with murder.
Prosecutors charged Ethan Robert Hunsaker, 24, of Layton, with first-degree felony murder in 2nd District Court on Wednesday.
Charging document details
On Sunday, police report that Hunsaker called 911 shortly after 3 a.m.
“[He] reported that he had killed someone. He also provided his address and stated that he did not know the person he had killed and had met the person on social media,” charging documents say.
25-year-old Ashlyn Black of Layton. Photo courtesy of the Black Family via Layton City Police.
When officers arrived at Hunsaker’s residence, they found 25-year-old Ashlyn Black in the bedroom with several stab wounds.
Charging documents say that officers found a knife nearby.
The responding officers attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful.
Hunsaker told investigators that he choked and stabbed Black saying that he had met her just hours earlier on the online-dating app Tinder.
A police affidavit says that Hunsaker said the date went normal, “and there had been no argument with Ashlyn that would cause him to kill her. Ethan stated he has daily thoughts of suicidal and homicidal ideations. Ethan has been diagnosed with mental health illnesses and is on prescriptions for those illnesses.
“Ethan has recently thought of ways to kill and kidnap others. Also expressed the desire to have police kill him,” the affidavit says.
Remembering Ashlyn Black
On Monday, Black’s family issued a statement.
“Our hearts are broken and our lives are forever changed due to the despicable acts of another person. In just a few senseless and selfish minutes, a life of an amazing, fun-loving young woman was taken, one who had a passion for being the voice of those who could not speak out for themselves. And a gift for working with those who have special needs.”
They have also asked for privacy at this time and have set up a GoFundMe* to help with funeral costs.
Domestic violence resources
The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org.
People in abusive relationships can get help by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah’s confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
*KSL NewsRadio does not assure that the money deposited to the account directly benefits the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
