MIDDLETOWN, OH – In a courtroom teeming with tension, Brandon Davis, 46, was sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating the murder of Asiah Slone, 35, a woman he claimed was like family. The jury delivered a swift verdict after less than five hours of deliberation, convicting Davis on charges that included aggravated murder and kidnapping.

The harrowing case began in June 2024, when Slone was reported missing by her brother after she failed to return home. Her decomposed body was discovered weeks later by her best friend in a garbage can in Middletown, leaving a community in shock. The investigation pointed to Davis and Perry Hart, 59, as suspects, revealing a grim and calculated murder plot.

Prosecutors depicted a chilling scene on June 7, 2024, when Davis allegedly shot Slone in the head as she lay asleep. When this initial attempt failed to kill her, he enlisted Hart to deliver the final blow, dragging her to the basement and shooting her again. Hart’s cooperation with the authorities, resulting in his guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter and kidnapping, was pivotal in bringing Davis to justice. His testimony painted a dark picture of Davis’ coercion, including a moment when, gun in hand, Davis demanded Hart’s allegiance.

DNA evidence was pivotal in connecting Hart to the crime scene, corroborating his involvement in the heinous act. Additionally, he agreed to testify against Davis in exchange for dropping several serious charges against him, including aggravated murder.

During the trial, Casey Kilgore, Slone’s best friend and the person who found her body, labeled Davis a “monster,” highlighting the betrayal and devastation felt by those who knew Slone.

Despite his conviction, Davis continued to assert his innocence, expressing remorse and claiming Slone was like a sister to him. Davis’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing for potential procedural errors during the trial.

Davis was sentenced to life in prison but will have the possibility of parole after serving 44 1/2 years. Additional penalties were imposed due to his status as a repeat violent offender and for firearms charges, adding to his lengthy incarceration.

As the community awaits the next chapter in this tragedy, Hart’s sentencing is scheduled for March 31, where his fate will be further decided.