The San Bernardino police, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States (FBI), are on a hunt for an American accused of killing his wife in their home in San Bernardino, California, who may possibly be hiding in Belize.
Their investigation led them to believe that Edly Atherley, 29, has friends and relatives in Belize. The announcement was made on Thursday, January 2, in California, when the San Bernardino County District Attorney, Michael Ramos, said that Atherley has been charged with murder, and if convicted, faces 26 years to life in state prison.
According to the San Bernardino Police Department newspaper, the Sun Homicide, Atherley is suspected of killing his wife, Ashley Atherley, 28, who was found dead in their home on Sunday, December 1. Officers said the attack appears to be the result of domestic violence.
When police went to the house, on December 1, they found Ashley with her throat slit, stabbed multiple times and badly beaten.
According to reports from Ashley’s family, Atherley was a possessive and abusive husband who had a history of abusing his wife, including a charge for domestic violence in 2008.
However, he was released after Ashley refused to press charges. The couple had been married for seven years and had two young daughters, but had been in the process of separation due to Atherley’s violent behavior.
“We begged Ashley to come home before something bad happened, but it was too late,” said Ashley’s mother, Lucia Roble.
The San Bernardino police held a press briefing on Thursday, January 2, to announce the search for Atherley in connection with the brutal murder of his wife. According to the report, Ashley’s father, who was at the conference, said “This animal needs to be brought to justice.” Ashley’s parents pleaded for the public’s help to bring the man that is suspected of killing their daughter to justice.
Police say Edly Atherley is extremely dangerous.
According to the newspaper, Ashley’s parents are also trying to secure guardianship of their granddaughters, who were placed into protective custody with Edly’s family in Simi Valley.
Investigators have been distributing fliers regarding the homicide, with the hope that someone recognizes him.
According to the Sun Homicide newspaper, Atherley was seen last Wednesday, New Year’s night, at the San Bernardino Metro Link station by a security officer who asked him if he needed assistance. Police said that Atherley ran from the security officer, who called police, who began to search for him.
Edly Atherley is an African American with black hair and brown eyes and has a prominent tattoo on his right shoulder. He weighs around 160 to 170 pounds and is five feet nine inches tall.
The FBI has offered a $10,000US reward for information leading to Atherley’s capture. Anyone who sees Atherley or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call the local police, 911, or Crime Stoppers Belize at 0-800-922-TIPS (8477).
Police say that Atherley could be in Florida, if he is not in California or Belize.