TROOPERS ARREST CECIL CO. MAN FOR MURDER OF HIS WIFE

(Elkton, MD) – Maryland State Police have arrested and charged a Cecil County man who is believed to have murdered his wife in their Elkton home this morning.

The accused is identified as Jason M. Costello, 24, of the 1900-block of Stone Gate Blvd., Elkton, Md. After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, he was charged tonight with first degree murder, second degree murder, first and second degree assault, use of a deadly weapon, and four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Costello is being taken to the Cecil County central booking center late tonight, where he will await an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

The victim is identified as Ashley N. Costello, 24, of the same address, who was the wife of the accused. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

Shortly before 10:00 a.m. today, Maryland State Police at the North East Barracks received a 911 call from someone who said they heard a woman screaming inside the residence later identified as the Costello home. Responding troopers saw blood on a window of the residence and they, along with a Cecil County deputy, made an immediate forced entry through the front door.

Troopers found a female lying in the living room with what appeared to be stab wounds to her neck. Continuing their search of the residence, they found a locked bathroom door and forcibly opened it. Sitting on the bathroom floor was a man, later identified as Jason Costello, who was holding a knife and bleeding from what appeared to be knife wounds on his wrists. It appeared he was in the process of injecting a substance intravenously with a syringe. Police ordered him to drop the knife and he complied.

Responding ambulance personnel determined Ashley Costello was dead. They transported Jason Costello to Union Hospital in Elkton, where he was treated for cuts and then released to troopers later today.

After obtaining a search warrant, Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators and crime scene technicians processed the crime scene. They found blood throughout the residence and recovered two large knives, both of which will be sent, along with other evidence, to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Laboratory for processing. Also found were numerous syringes and baggies of suspected drugs which will also be analyzed.

The State Police Homicide Unit was assisted by criminal investigators from the North East and Bel Air barracks. Troopers interviewed neighbors and were told the victim and accused were often heard arguing. They learned the couple had two children, ages four and one. Troopers were able to locate the children, who were staying with the victim’s mother in Delaware. Troopers from the Delaware State Police confirmed the children were okay.

A motive for the murder has not been clearly identified at this time. The preliminary investigation indicates the couple may have recently moved to the area from Colorado. Both were said to have been unemployed.