A Missouri man’s 911 call reporting his girlfriend unresponsive in a motel room took a grim turn when investigators discovered disturbing video evidence on his phone, leading to a homicide investigation and murder charges. Nicholas Ayres, 35, has been charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault in connection with the death of 37-year-old Destiny Dunn.
Initial 911 Call and Discovery
The incident began on August 12 around 3:22 p.m. when Ayres contacted emergency services. According to a probable cause statement, Ayres informed the dispatcher that Dunn was lying down, possibly still breathing, and appeared discolored, describing her as “red and blue.” He initially claimed the couple had an altercation in the shower, after which Dunn fell. However, when pressed about her condition, Ayres reportedly admitted to a fight and acknowledged she had sustained bruises. “It looks like I f—ing beat her up and I promise to God I didn’t do it,” Ayres allegedly stated to the dispatcher, as documented in the court filing. Emergency dispatchers provided instructions for chest compressions while officers were en route.
Officers arrived at the motel approximately one minute later and discovered Dunn deceased. Investigators noted extensive bruising across her body, including severe marks on her neck and face, and swollen, discolored eyelids. These findings immediately raised suspicions about the circumstances of her death.
Neighbor’s Account and Ayres’ Statements
Evidence gathered by investigators included accounts from individuals in adjacent motel rooms. Neighbors reported hearing what sounded like a physical altercation emanating from the room around 11 a.m. on the day of Dunn’s death, according to the court documents. Ayres was taken into custody for questioning.
During an interview following Miranda warnings, Ayres reportedly admitted to having physical altercations with Dunn on August 11 and August 12. However, he characterized these incidents as accidental and insisted he does not assault women, the affidavit states. This account contrasted sharply with the physical evidence found on Dunn.
Disturbing Video Evidence Uncovered
The investigation took a significant turn when police examined Ayres’ cellphone, which was recovered from the motel room. The contents of the phone allegedly revealed a disturbing sequence of events leading up to Dunn’s death.
One video, recorded on August 10, reportedly showed Dunn without any visible bruising on her face. However, another recording from later that same night allegedly captured Ayres assaulting her repeatedly for over a minute. In this footage, investigators claim Ayres could be heard telling Dunn to “clean up her mess” amidst sounds of slapping and punching. The video allegedly concludes with Ayres grabbing Dunn by the hair and punching her in the face, causing her to fall.
Further recordings from the afternoon of August 12 painted an even more alarming picture. At 12:06 p.m., a photograph allegedly showed Dunn lying in a bathtub, wearing only a shirt. A brief, five-second video recorded concurrently reportedly showed her barely moving. Two minutes later, another video allegedly depicted Ayres moving between the motel room and the bathroom while a woman’s groans could be heard. Approximately one minute into this recording, Ayres is heard telling Dunn he was “really calling 911.” He is quoted as saying, “I have to because I’m not going down for manslaughter,” according to the affidavit.
Interestingly, a 911 call was placed at 12:21 p.m. that same day, just 13 minutes after the video was recorded. Ayres reportedly told dispatchers this call was accidental and verified his details before disconnecting. This earlier, brief call did not prompt an immediate police response to the motel.
Homicide Determination and Family’s Grief
It was not until the later 3:22 p.m. call that officers were dispatched to the motel, ultimately leading to the discovery of Dunn’s body. Police also documented what appeared to be defensive wounds on Ayres’ left wrist and torso. Based on the evidence, including the phone recordings and the condition of Dunn’s body, Columbia Police determined her death to be a homicide. An officer alleged in the probable cause statement that Ayres’ physical assault of Dunn resulted in her death from her injuries.
Ayres is currently being held without bond, with a court appearance scheduled for September 2. As the legal proceedings commence, Dunn’s family is remembering her as a cherished individual whose absence has left a profound void.
Her sister, Marinah Hollon, shared a heartfelt tribute on GoFundMe, describing Destiny as a “loving, nurturing, and incredibly sweet person” and a devoted mother. Hollon emphasized the devastating impact of Dunn’s death on her children, stating they now face life without her. “She had a beautiful soul and a heart that cared deeply for the people around her,” Hollon wrote. “She was someone who brought love and kindness into the lives of others.” The family expressed the immense pain of their loss, noting, “No family should ever have to endure this kind of heartbreak.”
The Columbia Police Department has indicated that the investigation into Destiny Dunn’s death is ongoing.
