Ashley Barlow case on American Monster - A detailed case overview

On October 23, 2021, in Beaumont, Texas, 37-year-old Ashley Barlow, a loving mother and probation officer, was shot multiple times by her estranged husband, Terry Barlow, in a deadly confrontation outside a business on Langham Road. The incident, fueled by the couple's separation and Terry's jealousy, unfolded within seconds but was caught on security cameras nearby, which caught Ashley pleading for her life as Terry fired shots at her close up.

This event now finds a place among cases of domestic violence that lead to murder, leaving three young children without their mother. Ashley Barlow's story of resilience in the face of personal challenges sets the base for American Monster season 13 episode 3, titled Weight Control. The episode was aired on November 11, 2025, on Investigation Discovery and is available on Discovery+, Max, and Hulu.

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American Monster: Ashley Barlow's life and career

American Monster season 13, episode 3 (Image via Unsplash/ @ R.D. Smith)

Ashley Barlow was born in Texas in 1984 and had built a secure life around her family and profession, notwithstanding personal challenges. She worked as a clerical assistant for the Jefferson County Department of Probation from April 2012 and advanced to a probation officer position in February 2016, after finally earning her degree, according to KFDM.

Ashley was popular, friendly, and always had a smile for colleagues and those she served, out of a group of around 100 employees, including 41 probation officers. She was a mother of three children.

By 2021, Ashley and Terry had separated, giving her space to focus on her growth. Ashley's sister later said how she was always strong enough to handle challenges, including years of strain in her marriage, according to News 12.

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The marriage and separation

Ashley Barlow was a probation officer (Image via Unsplash/ @ Romain Dancre)

Ashley and Terry Bellini Barlow, 53, were married for years, but by the time they split up in October 2021, their marriage was failing. Court documents state that Terry installed a GPS tracking device on Ashley's car without her knowledge after growing suspicious of her. This allowed him to locate her on the day of the incident at a business in the 600 block of Langham Road, as per News 12.

The couple's constant arguments led to their split, with Terry becoming enraged over Ashley's independence. Terry told the police that he was angry because he knew Ashley was talking to another man. Ashley, in return, continued with her routine, fully unaware of the tracker.

Family members confirmed that the marriage had been troubled; Ashley, desperate to provide stability for her children, wanted a divorce. Terry further resorted to a controlling behavior and later conceded that he had planned a confrontation. This initial separation phase set up the fatal encounter and brought to light the tensions that had been building within the household, according to News12.

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The confrontation and shooting

Ashley Barlow was shot multiple times (Image via Unsplash/ @ Maxim Hopman)

Around 5:54 pm, Beaumont Police responded to reports of gunfire in the 600 block of Langham Road on October 23, 2021. When Terry arrived at the GPS-tracked location, he found Ashley Barlow outside a business with a male acquaintance. After arguing, Terry pulled out his gun and drove off in his truck. Terry was seen yelling at both individuals in the exchange, which was captured on surveillance footage from two nearby businesses, according to KFDM.

Investigators counted shots from two different weapons: Terry's Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol and Ashley's .380-caliber handgun. He returned a few minutes later, much more agitated, and chased Ashley Barlow and the man on foot while firing multiple rounds. Ashley was heard screaming and pleading with Terry to stop for the sake of her kids in the video.

She was caught by Terry, who fired nine times at close range, including three while she was on the ground. The male acquaintance escaped harm by hiding behind the building. Responding emergency personnel declared Ashley Barlow dead at the scene after she was shot multiple times in the chest. After a brief escape, Terry came back to surrender to the police, according to KFDM.

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Investigation, trial, and sentencing

After the shooting, Beaumont Police secured the scene and reviewed the security footage, which clearly revealed the sequence of events. Terry, following a Miranda waiver, confessed during interrogation, describing the use of the GPS, weapons used, and even his intent to kill himself afterward, but did not do so. He also expressed remorse, stating he had "really messed up" and ruined his children's lives, as per KFDM.

Originally charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Terry's bonds were set at $1 million and $500,000, respectively. In January 2023, Terry pleaded guilty under an agreement that capped the murder sentence at 50 years, according to Beaumont Press.

The April 3, 2023, hearing in Jefferson County's 252nd Criminal District Court included testimony from detectives, the surviving witness, and Ashley's sister, who is now raising the children, and spoke to the court about the loss to her family. Judge Raquel West assessed 50 years for murder and 20 years for assault, to run concurrently, with no parole for the first half of the murder term.

Prosecutors emphasized that the video displayed the brutality of the crime. Terry remains in a Texas prison unit, as per KFDM.

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Watch Ashley Barlow's case on American Monster season 13 episode 3, available on Investigation Discovery.

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