Robert Andre Ross Wanted for Murder: Two Children Find Ashley Ross Dead in Alliance, Ohio Home – U.S. Marshals Join Manhunt for Armed Suspect.
Tragedy on West Ely Street: A Quiet Neighborhood Shaken
ALLIANCE, Ohio – May 13, 2026 – A quiet Wednesday morning in the 300 block of West Ely Street in Alliance, Ohio, turned into a scene of unfathomable horror when two young children made a grim discovery inside a bedroom: the lifeless body of 34-year-old Ashley Ross. The subsequent investigation has now triggered a multijurisdictional manhunt for the victim’s husband, 49-year-old Robert Andre Ross, who is wanted on a murder charge and is considered armed and dangerous.
What began as a routine morning in this modest, tree-lined residential neighborhood swiftly escalated into a major criminal investigation, drawing in the Alliance Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. As of Wednesday evening, Robert Andre Ross remained at large, and law enforcement officials have issued urgent pleas for public assistance while warning that anyone aiding his escape could face criminal prosecution.
The Discovery: Children’s Grim Find
According to authorities, the first 911 call came in just before 9:00 a.m. on May 13, 2026. The callers were two children, whose exact ages and relationship to the victim have not been disclosed by police, citing juvenile privacy laws and the ongoing investigation. However, sources close to the case confirm the children were known to reside at the West Ely Street address.
The children reportedly entered a bedroom in the home and found Ashley Ross unresponsive. Initial dispatch logs indicate the children told the operator that their mother “would not wake up” and that there were signs of trauma. Emergency Medical Services arrived within minutes, but Ashley Ross was pronounced dead at the scene. The Stark County Coroner’s Office has since taken custody of the body, and an autopsy is scheduled for May 14 to determine the exact cause and manner of death. However, police have already classified the death as a homicide.
Alliance Police Chief Roger L. Miller held a brief press conference Wednesday afternoon, visibly shaken by the circumstances. “This is a heartbreaking tragedy, made even more so by the fact that two innocent children were the ones to find the victim,” Chief Miller said. “Our immediate priority is to locate Robert Andre Ross and bring him to justice while ensuring the safety of our community.”
Suspect Identified: Who Is Robert Andre Ross?
Robert Andre Ross, 49, is a resident of Alliance, Ohio, with a known criminal history that local sources describe as including prior domestic violence incidents, though those records are sealed pending further court action. Described as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 190 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, Ross is believed to have fled the West Ely Street residence sometime between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Police have not released a specific description of the clothing Ross was last seen wearing, but they confirmed that he is believed to be in possession of at least one firearm. “We have credible information that Robert Andre Ross is armed,” Chief Miller stated. “Anyone who sees him should not approach, attempt to detain, or engage with him in any way. He should be considered extremely dangerous.”
The murder charge against Robert Andre Ross was formally filed by the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday afternoon. An arrest warrant has been issued, and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, flagging him nationwide.
Manhint Expands: U.S. Marshals Join the Search
Given the severity of the offense and the suspect’s access to firearms, the Alliance Police Department requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. This specialized unit, which includes officers from multiple local, state, and federal agencies, is now coordinating the search for Robert Andre Ross.
“The U.S. Marshals Service brings advanced tracking resources, surveillance capabilities, and a national reach,” said Deputy Marshal Karen Haines, who is leading the task force’s involvement. “We believe Robert Andre Ross may have left the immediate Alliance area, possibly traveling to neighboring counties or even out of state. We are pursuing all leads, including tips about family members, associates, and places he has frequented in the past.”
Investigators are reviewing cell phone records, traffic camera footage, and financial transactions in an effort to trace Ross’s movements. Police have also towed a vehicle registered to Robert Andre Ross — a 2015 silver Chevrolet Cruze with Ohio license plates — from the West Ely Street address, but it remains unclear if the suspect used another vehicle to flee.
Public Alert: Do Not Engage — Call Police Immediately
Law enforcement officials are urging residents in Alliance and surrounding areas — including Canton, Akron, and Youngstown — to remain vigilant. Robert Andre Ross has known ties to Stark County and possibly to Columbus, Ohio, where he lived for several years prior to moving to Alliance.
“If you see Robert Andre Ross, do not approach him. Do not try to be a hero. Call 911 immediately,” Chief Miller emphasized. “Also, be aware of any suspicious activity — a neighbor’s house being entered when they’re away, an unfamiliar car parked for a long time, or someone asking for rides or shelter.”
The public is also reminded that harboring a fugitive is a serious crime. Ohio Revised Code § 2921.32 makes it a felony of the third degree to aid or assist a person who has committed a felony, knowing that the person is wanted by law enforcement. Anyone who provides Robert Andre Ross with food, shelter, transportation, money, or disguises could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
“We are monitoring social media and will investigate any credible report of someone assisting Robert Andre Ross,” Deputy Marshal Haines added. “This is a murder suspect. Helping him is not an act of loyalty — it is a crime.”
The Victim: Remembering Ashley Ross
While the manhunt dominates headlines, those who knew Ashley Ross are struggling to process their grief. According to public records and social media profiles, Ashley Ross (née Thompson) was 34 years old, a mother of three young children, and had lived in Alliance for approximately five years. Friends describe her as a devoted parent who volunteered at her children’s school and worked part-time at a local daycare center.
“Ashley was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back,” said longtime friend Mariah Jenkins, 33, of Canton. “She loved those kids more than anything. I can’t even imagine what they went through this morning — finding their own mother like that. It’s sickening. And the fact that her husband is out there somewhere… it’s terrifying.”
Neighbors on West Ely Street told reporters they were shocked by the violence. “This is a family street,” said one elderly resident who asked not to be named. “We have block parties. Kids play in the yards. You never expect something like this to happen next door.”
A small memorial of flowers and a teddy bear began forming outside the home Wednesday afternoon, though police have cordoned off the property with yellow crime scene tape. The two children who discovered Ashley Ross are now in the custody of Stark County Children Services and are receiving crisis counseling, authorities confirmed.
Legal Proceedings and What Comes Next
Once apprehended, Robert Andre Ross will be arraigned in Stark County Municipal Court on one count of murder, a special felony under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 2903.02). If convicted, he faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of additional penalties if a firearm specification is proven — which prosecutors have indicated they will seek.
The case bears similarities to other domestic violence homicides in Ohio, where the victim is killed by an intimate partner. According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, nearly one in three homicides in the state is related to domestic violence, and firearms are involved in more than half of those cases.
Chief Miller emphasized that while Robert Andre Ross is the sole named suspect, the investigation remains active. “We are still processing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and gathering forensic evidence. The children are providing statements through specialized interviewers. We will not rest until Robert Andre Ross is in custody.”
How to Report Tips
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robert Andre Ross is urged to take immediate action:
· Call 911 if you see the suspect in person.
· Contact the Alliance Police Department at (330) 821-9140.
· Report anonymously to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-926-8332.
· Submit a tip via the Stark County Crime Stoppers at (330) 455-8477, where you may be eligible for a cash reward.
Authorities have not disclosed whether a reward is currently offered for information leading to Robert Andre Ross’s arrest, but law enforcement sources indicate that such a reward is being considered.
Final Warning from Law Enforcement
As night falls on Alliance, Ohio, police patrols have been increased, and schools in the vicinity of West Ely Street implemented a soft lockdown as a precaution Wednesday afternoon. The search for Robert Andre Ross continues across state lines, with the U.S. Marshals coordinating with police in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan — states within driving distance of Alliance.
“Make no mistake,” Deputy Marshal Haines said. “We will find Robert Andre Ross. It is only a matter of time. The question is whether he surrenders peacefully or forces us to take more drastic action. Either way, justice will be served for Ashley Ross and for those two children who have already endured far too much.”
The investigation remains ongoing. This article will be updated as new information becomes available.


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