It has been over a decade since Ashley “Ash” Rowell, a beloved father, husband, and pioneer in Houston’s craft beer industry, was shot and killed at his Montrose home. A man who built community through his passion for craft beer and distribution, Ash was taken from his family in a crime that remains unsolved. Despite the passage of time, there has been no arrest, no closure, and no clear answers.
This is unacceptable.
The murder of Ash Rowell is not just another cold case—it is a brutal killing that took place in his own home, with his wife and children present. It is a crime that shattered a family and left a community grieving. And yet, after initial reports, the case has largely faded from public attention, leaving many to wonder: Has the investigation been abandoned?
The Facts Demand Action
On February 1, 2013, Ash answered his front door and was gunned down. There was no sign of forced entry. No robbery. No random act of violence. Investigators believed he knew his killer. A dark-colored sedan was seen fleeing the scene. And yet, despite these details, no one has been held accountable.
What about security footage from nearby homes? What about phone records, witness statements, and forensic evidence? If detectives believed this was a targeted attack, then the suspect pool should have been narrowed. The fact that this case remains unsolved raises serious concerns.
The Family Deserves Answers
Ash Rowell’s wife and children have lived more than ten years with no justice. Imagine the trauma of a child growing up knowing that the person who killed their father is still walking free. Imagine the pain of his wife, who has had to raise their children with this weight on her shoulders.
We have seen countless cases reopened, reassigned, and reexamined when the right attention is placed on them. Investigators must revisit this case with fresh eyes and renewed determination.
The Public Deserves Answers
The Houston Police Department has an obligation not just to Ash’s family but to the public. When a case like this lingers unsolved, it sends a message—intentional or not—that justice is negotiable. That some cases fade into the background while others receive relentless pursuit. That message is dangerous. It erodes trust in law enforcement and weakens the fabric of our community.
A Call for Renewed Effort
We are not here to criticize—we are here to demand action. HPD has solved cases decades after they occurred. Advances in forensic technology, DNA testing, and investigative techniques could provide new leads. Someone, somewhere, knows something. A renewed focus could push this case back into the public eye, encouraging new witnesses to come forward.
The Houston Police Department must:
• Reopen and reassess the case with fresh investigative resources.
• Utilize modern forensic techniques on any preserved evidence.
• Engage the public and media to generate new leads.
• Show Ash Rowell’s family and community that his life mattered.
Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied
Ash Rowell was more than a headline. He was a father, a husband, a friend, and an entrepreneur who made Houston a better place. His murder should not be a forgotten footnote. His killer should not be free.
If there is one thing that history has proven, it’s that persistence brings justice. It’s time for HPD to show that persistence. It’s time to give Ash Rowell’s family the answers they deserve.
If you have any information, contact the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS. Let’s make sure Ash Rowell’s name is not forgotten—and his murderer is not free.
For more on this story visit ABC Eyewitness 13 News