74-year-old man pleads guilty to violent assault of missing woman

Written by: KC Harrington

Published March 5, 2026 @ 09:56 PM ET

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A 74-year-old man will spend two decades in prison after pleading guilty to violently assaulting and stalking a woman whose remains were later discovered in 2022.

Arnithal Freeman entered a non-negotiated guilty plea Monday just as jury selection was set to begin. He was facing charges of aggravated battery under family violence, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and aggravated stalking.

The case dates back to April 22, 2022, when Debra Ashby was found severely injured inside her Covington home by family members. Investigators said she had extensive bruising on her neck, face and arms, along with blood visible in her eyes.

Ashby told investigators that Freeman, her boyfriend at the time, had strangled her and repeatedly beaten her using his fists and a boot. Freeman denied the accusations and claimed Ashby had fallen from her bed.

Freeman was arrested following the incident but was released on bond in May 2022 with a court order requiring him to have no contact with Ashby.

Several months later, on Nov. 1, 2022, Covington police received a missing persons report for Ashby. Investigators later determined Freeman had returned to her home despite the no-contact order. He was arrested again four days later and charged with aggravated stalking.

Six days after that arrest, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office located Ashby’s remains. Due to the condition of the remains, medical examiners were unable to determine a cause or manner of death. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab reported that non-homicidal causes could not be ruled out.

Prosecutors moved forward with the assault and stalking cases even after Ashby’s death.

Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge Kevin Morris sentenced Freeman to 25 years, with the first 20 years to be served in prison.

Authorities said the investigation into Ashby’s death is still open. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Covington Police Department, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office or the Newton County District Attorney’s Office.