Louisiana Man Arrested in Arizona for Ashley Barnes’ Murder

Police officials have confirmed that a suspect arrested Saturday in Winslow, Arizona, is wanted on charges of raping and murdering a Louisiana teenager.

Arizona authorities helped arrest Montrell Donell Holmes, a suspect in the murder of 14-year-old Ashley Barnes.

Bastrop police posted on Facebook that they were investigating a homicide after a body, later identified as Barnes, was discovered in the woods.

Authorities said a suspect, identified as Holmes, has been arrested in connection with the case.

On Saturday, U.S. Marshals Service officials said their Flagstaff office received a request from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Western District of Louisiana Major Offenders Task Force for assistance in locating and arresting Holmes.

Authorities said he is wanted on charges of murder and rape of Barnes.

Flagstaff Marshals Service Task Force officers, working with the Flagstaff Police Department and Department of Public Safety, located and arrested Holmes using cell phone tower pings. He was arrested in Winslow, just off Interstate 40 and North Park Drive.

Officials said Holmes is awaiting transport back to the Western District of Louisiana to face charges. The Bastrop Police Department continues to investigate the murder.

Annie Goodykoontz is a reporter for The Arizona Republic. You can contact her at [email protected].