On April 10, 2026, the family of 23-year-old Ashanti Allen reported her missing. Her mother had last seen her two days prior after a doctor’s appointment, but it was a text message she later received that made her feel concerned. Her daughter texted, “I am leaving, not coming back,” the morning of April 10. Naturally, her mother was worried, but she was especially fearful because Allen was eight months pregnant with her first child and experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Immediately, people began searching for her. Nearly a week later, her body was discovered in a bayou at a local park.
Her body was found by a local nonprofit group.
On the morning of April 16, 2026, a body was found by a member of Texas EquuSearch, it reported on Facebook. Even though the body wasn’t immediately identified, it was assumed that it was Allen and her unborn son.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends as they navigate through this very difficult time,” the organization’s post read. “Thank you for all who were involved and members who showed up each day, giving it their all.”
A ping on Allen’s phone led police to a local park, which helped searchers finally find her body, Click2Houston reported. Her body was found at 9 a.m. So far, a cause of death has not been released, but an autopsy is underway.
A suspect has been arrested.
Kevin Faux was arrested in Louisiana, Fox 26 Houston reported, adding that the US Marshals Service confirmed that the 24-year-old was taken into custody in New Orleans.
Shortly after the discovery of Allen’s body, police identified Faux as her apparent killer and the father of her unborn child, Houston authorities shared in a news release. On April 16, he was charged with murder, but the charge was later upgraded to capital murder.
According to court documents, Faux was arrested and charged with assault on a family member in September 2025, Click2Houston reported. The victim was listed as Ashanti Allen. On February 19, 2026, he was sentenced to 143 days in jail.
Her family is speaking out about the loss.
Edward Allen was at work when he found out about his daughter’s death.
“Hearing this bad news of my daughter, I cried but my body is now just numb,” he told KHOU. “I don’t know what to think anymore. How can you let people do what they do and walk free amongst us. Being pregnant at 8 months with my first grandson, I can’t even tell you how I feel. My body is numb. I don’t think I can process the fact that my daughter is gone.”
The father explained that he was unaware of the domestic violence case his daughter experienced until fairly recently.
“There have been several disputes that I was not aware of because she didn’t tell us. Her mom didn’t know. We got to this point and a lot of things come out about the past,” he said.
Ashanti Allen will be remembered as someone who was deeply beloved.
“She got pregnant with her first baby. She was excited about that,” Edward Allen Said. “Her life was going somewhere. Until, unfortunately, this happened.”
Her brother Xavier Gaines started a GoFundMe account to raise money for the expenses related to a funeral for his sister and her unborn child. It’s raised $11,000 thus far.
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved baby sister, Ashanti Allen, was tragically taken from us,” the description explained. “She was eight months pregnant, and we were all so excited to welcome our nephew, Jaxon Allen, into the world. We never got the chance to meet him.”
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter (domesticshelters.org).
