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A San Tan Valley man plotted to kill his mother amid arguments, agents say; found note
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A San Tan Valley man plotted to kill his mother amid arguments, agents say; found note

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ (AZ Family) — New court documents reveal more details about how an 18-year-old San Tan Valley man allegedly he planned to kill his mother following a series of arguments.

Authorities say Alan Ashcroft is accused of stabbing and killing his motherMary Collier, 38, while the two were in a field in San Tan Valley earlier this week.

On Wednesday at 9:04 a.m., Pinal County deputies received a report of a woman’s body in a field south of Skyline Drive. He reportedly had blood around his mouth and a broken kitchen knife next to his body. The authorities identified her at the scene.

Seven minutes later, at 9:11 a.m., officers received a report of a kidnapping involving Collier. Court documents say Ashcroft told the 911 operator that his mother went for a walk in a nearby field and “something really bad happened.”

Ashcroft claimed that his mother was taken away by unknown persons and that she was currently at home with his father and two brothers. The 911 operator then asked to speak to Ashcroft’s brother, who allegedly said his brother and mother went for a walk and Ashcroft returned home alone.

Court documents say that when Ashcroft returned to the house, “he appeared shaken and had blood on him.”

When officers arrived at his home, Ashcroft attempted to flee from the officers. He was unsuccessful and was taken into custody, where he “asked officers to shoot him in the head” and claimed he was “not innocent,” according to court documents. He was hospitalized for a neck injury.

Alan Ashcroft was booked into prison on Thursday afternoon in connection with the death of his...
Alan Ashcroft was booked into jail Thursday afternoon in connection with the death of his mother, Mary Collier, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.(Pinal County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities interviewed Ashcroft’s siblings, who allegedly stated that Ashcroft and his mother had constant arguments and had not spoken in three days. The night before Collier’s death, Ashcroft allegedly yelled, “I hate you” at his mother.

The morning of the murder, court documents say the mother and son went for a walk to talk about their problems. However, when Ashcroft returned home alone and his brother saw red stains on his hands, Ashcroft claimed it was ketchup, deputies said.

A brother reportedly asked Ashcroft where his mother was, but he did not answer. Court documents say the family noticed Ashcroft’s behavior was “off” and he refused to look at them several times when they asked where Collier was. Eventually, Ashcroft claimed that Collier had been kidnapped.

Deputies say the footprints in the dirt field matched the shoes Ashcroft was wearing. In addition, blood-stained clothing was found in the bathroom.

As authorities searched the home, they allegedly found a diary in Ashcroft’s bedroom, apparently plotting the murder.

One entry read: “My mother needs to be destroyed, for her own good. Do it if you want to save his soul. Someone wants to take your place, fight! The time is now!

Ashcroft was released from the hospital Thursday and booked into jail. During an interview with officers, he allegedly said he decided to kill his mother on Wednesday while she was writing in her journal.

Court documents state that while Collier waited for Ashcroft outside before walking, he went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

While in the field, the two sat on bales of hay. Ashcroft allegedly told officers he saw this “as an opportunity to kill his mother,” but hesitated. Collier saw the knife and asked his son to give it to him when a fight broke out.

Court documents say Ashcroft head-butted his mother, pinned her down and stabbed her in the neck. He then turned her around and covered her with his jacket before leaving the place.

Ashcroft was charged with one count of first-degree murder.

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