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Ashley Benefield

What is ashley benefield?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Born December 5, 1991[1]
Occupation Former ballerina and swimsuit model[1]
Conviction Manslaughter with a firearm, July 2024[1]
Sentence 20 years in prison plus 10 years of probation, December 2024[1]

Ashley Benefield is a former ballerina and model convicted of manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, in Florida.

Context

Ashley Benefield, born Ashley Byers on December 5, 1991, is a former ballerina and swimsuit model who gained national attention after the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield [1]. The incident took place on September 27, 2020, in Florida [1]. She was initially charged with second-degree murder, but a jury found her guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in July 2024 [1]. In December 2024, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation [1]. Media outlets have referred to the case as the 'Black Swan' case, drawing on her ballet background [1].

Documented claims

  • She was charged with second-degree murder after the shooting. [1]
  • The shooting occurred on September 27, 2020, in Florida. [1]
  • Media coverage has labelled the case the 'Black Swan' case. [1]

Questions and answers

Where is Ashley Benefield right now?

She is serving a 20-year prison sentence imposed in December 2024 [1].

How many years is Ashley Benefield facing?

She was sentenced to 20 years in prison plus 10 years of probation [1].

What happened with Ashley Benefield?

She shot her estranged husband Doug Benefield on September 27, 2020, in Florida, and was convicted of manslaughter with a firearm in July 2024 [1].

Sources

  1. Ashley Benefield, ex-ballerina convicted of killing husband, is ... — nbcnews.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People