Inset (left): Jason Simpson (Maryland State Police). Inset (right): Ashley Silverman (Facebook). Background: The block in Cecilton, Md., where Ashley Silverman died (Google Maps).
A Maryland man who allegedly tried to claim the mother of his children hanged herself is now charged with her murder.
Jason Simpson, 29, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his former girlfriend, 27-year-old Ashley Silverman. According to a press release from the Maryland State Police, troopers responded to a call from a home in Cecilton, Maryland, around 1:45 a.m. on June 18. The mother of two young children was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to court documents obtained by The Cecil Whig, a local news outlet, Simpson was also at the scene and told investigators that Silverman hanged herself on a swing set in the home's backyard.
Police said Simpson's story soon fell apart as the investigation into Silverman's death progressed. According to court documents, Simpson told police that he and Silverman had a history of domestic violence and a judge recently approved a protective order against him.
On the night of June 17, Simpson said Silverman showed up at the house in Cecilton and made "numerous statements she wanted to kill herself" while knocking on the door. When no one let her inside, Simpson said she walked around to the back of the house. Simpson told police he went to check on his two children, who were inside the house and crying.
A few minutes later, Simpson claimed that he saw Silverman had hanged herself on a swing set in the backyard. He told police he put her in a wagon and brought her inside the house, then called 911.
Investigators determined that the swing set was 155 feet from the house and the backyard was "almost completely dark," making Simpson's claim that he saw Silverman hanging from the swing set an "impossibility." Police also said they believed the scene was staged.
According to investigators, Simpson called his mother three times "then waited at least 30 additional minutes" before he called 911.
Among the other details Simpson allegedly lied about was his mother's presence at the scene; first Simpson said she was there, then his mother told police she was not. Simpson also said Silverman had not been at the home in Cecilton for "several months," but neighbors told police they saw her there two days before her death.
Investigators noted in the court documents that Simpson identified himself as Silverman's boyfriend, but "shortly" after Silverman's death, he was "actively seeking dates on Tinder." According to the court records, he identified himself as a widower with no "baby momma drama."
The Cecil Whig reported on charges against Simpson related to domestic violence incidents involving Silverman going back to 2024, including a conviction for second-degree assault in connection with an incident from September 2024. During that incident, Simpson charged at Silverman with a knife because she took his phone. He was sentenced to two years in prison, and the judge suspended his sentence and placed him on probation for 18 months.
In November 2024, 10 days after that conviction, Simpson was arrested for another incident during which he allegedly choked Silverman, which violated his probation and a protection order that was in effect.
Silverman left behind 11-month-old twins and two sons, ages 3 and 4.
Simpson is currently in custody at the Cecil County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 25.