Ep 8. Mom Gone Missing: Runaway or Murder Victim?

In this episode of True Life Crime, we follow the disappearance of a mother named Ashley Cusato. Ashley was a 30-year-old woman who lived in Largo, Florida with her two children and fiancé, David. On February 8th, 2008, Ashley vanished without a trace after leaving her home to go to a party.

Initially, Ashley's family and friends believed that she had simply run away from her life and responsibilities. However, as time passed without any contact from Ashley, they began to fear the worst.

The local police department launched an investigation into Ashley's disappearance but struggled to make any breakthroughs in the case. Through interviews with Ashley's loved ones and the detectives who worked on the case, we learn about the challenges that they faced in trying to piece together what happened to her.

As the investigation continued, evidence gradually emerged that pointed towards the possibility that Ashley had been murdered. The discovery of her abandoned car and the fact that she had left her phone and other personal belongings behind at home were all key pieces of evidence that led detectives to believe that Ashley had not simply run away.

Throughout the episode, we also see how Ashley's family coped with their deepening sense of loss and the uncertainty of not knowing what happened to her. We hear from her children, who struggle to understand why their mother left and never came back. We see her mother and sister, who hold out hope that Ashley might still be alive but also fear that they may never find out the truth.

Without giving away any spoilers, it's fair to say that the episode offers some closure on Ashley's case. However, we also learn that some of the key questions surrounding her disappearance remain unanswered to this day.

Overall, 'Mom Gone Missing: Runaway or Murder Victim?' is a compelling and moving exploration of a real-life missing person case. The show offers important insights into how law enforcement and families deal with this kind of traumatic event and how, even many years later, the impact of a loved one's disappearance can still be felt deeply.