This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. TonightвЂ™s episode of Dateline вЂњThe BridgeвЂќ delves deeper into the death of James Chambers, and speaks with his family. Search teams that include his tireless family have been looking for JamesвЂ™ body in the surrounding area ever since his disappearance, but have had no luck locating his remains even with the details given by JamesвЂ™ killer. Howard said he had initially buried JamesвЂ™ body, but later dug it up, cut it into pieces, and placed the pieces into bags that he threw over a bridge that crossed the Cape Fear River. Howard is currently serving his time at Columbus Correctional Institution in Whiteville. ItвЂ™s highly unusual to convict someone of murder without a body as evidence. He had pled guilty to second-degree murder in negotiations that lasted about a year. He says he had stopped the truck, got out, and fired a gun into it in order to scare James, but he killed him instead.ДЇebruary 2018 Howard Adrian Ashleman was sentenced to at least 15 years, six months, but no more than 19 years and eight months for the shooting death of James Chambers in 2014. Howard Ashleman admitted that he killed James, but says it was an accident. Howard started opening up about JamesвЂ™ killing to the girl he was dating, and she started recording their conversations. He studied at a bible college, and his growing religious connection deepened his guilty feelings. He later moved to Florida, where he struggled with feelings of guilt. Howard Ashleman was interviewed by police, but they had no evidence, and no body, so they did not detain him. James didnвЂ™t come back from the trip, and his family reported him missing a week later. The day she last saw him, JamesвЂ™ ex-girlfriend thought Howard Ashleman was taking James to a lifeguarding job at the lake. For years, he kept the secret of JamesвЂ™ death to himself. JamesвЂ™ coworker Howard Ashleman was also his killer. His body has never been found, however, someone has admitted to killing him. Construction worker James Chambers of Fayetteville, NC was last seen on August 15, 2014, by his ex-girlfriend.

Dateline the bridge