HOUSTON, TX – A 23-year-old pregnant woman who vanished earlier this month was found dead near a bayou in southwest Houston, and police are now searching for the father of her unborn child, who faces a capital murder charge in the case.
Ashanti Allen was last seen on April 8 leaving the 8700 block of Main Street in Houston’s South Main neighborhood. More than a week later, on April 16, her body was discovered late in the morning along Willow Waterhole Bayou near Chimney Rock Park, about six miles from her home. Authorities say Allen was eight months pregnant at the time of her death.
Houston police identified 24-year-old Kevin Faux as the suspect and confirmed he is currently wanted on a charge of capital murder. He remains at large as of this week.
Family recounts final contact and alarming message
Allen’s family said the last time they saw her, she was in her mother’s vehicle, which has since been recovered by law enforcement. The day after her disappearance, her mother received a text message from Allen’s phone that raised immediate concern.
According to the family, the message suggested Allen was leaving and not coming back—something they described as out of character. They pointed out that all of her belongings, including items prepared for her baby, were left behind in her apartment.
Details surrounding the circumstances of Allen’s death have not been released, and her cause of death remains unknown. Authorities have said she was experiencing a high-risk pregnancy at the time she disappeared.
Suspect’s prior domestic violence history surfaces
Court records show Faux had prior encounters with law enforcement involving Allen. In September, he was charged with assault-continuous family violence tied to two incidents. In February, he accepted a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge of assault of a family member.
He was sentenced to 280 days in county jail, receiving credit for 143 days already served, and was later released early.
The charge against Faux in Allen’s death was initially listed as murder but has since been upgraded to capital murder, according to Houston police.
Allen’s father described the impact of the loss in emotional terms, saying, “Hearing this bad news of my daughter, I cried but my body is now just numb. I don’t know what to think anymore. How can you let people do what they do and walk free amongst us.”
He added, “Being pregnant at eight 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.”
Recalling plans for the near future, he said, “I was about to go buy a car seat and stroller. Normal girl, pretty girl, working and trying to live life.”
Houston police are urging anyone with information about Faux’s whereabouts to contact the department’s homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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