Jason Simpson, 29, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 27-year-old Ashley Silverman, a mother of four children who investigators say was strangled inside her Cecilton, Maryland home before someone attempted to make it appear she had hanged herself on a backyard swing set.
Background
According to court documents obtained by The Cecil Whig, troopers with the Maryland State Police responded to a call from a home in Cecilton around 1:45 a.m. on June 18. Silverman was pronounced dead at the scene. Simpson, who was present when authorities arrived, provided investigators with an account of events that would soon fall apart under scrutiny.
Simpson told police that on the night of June 17, Silverman showed up at the house and made "numerous statements she wanted to kill herself" while knocking on the door. When no one let her inside, Simpson claimed she walked around to the back of the property. He said he went to check on his two children, who were inside the residence and crying. A few minutes later, Simpson told investigators he discovered Silverman had hanged herself from a swing set in the backyard.
Court documents reveal that Simpson and Silverman had a documented history of domestic violence. A judge had recently approved a protective order against Simpson, and during proceedings related to prior incidents, details of their tumultuous relationship emerged.
Simpson was previously convicted of second-degree assault stemming from an incident in September 2024, during which he allegedly charged at Silverman with a knife after she took his phone. He received a two-year prison sentence that was suspended, and was placed on probation for 18 months. In November 2024—just 10 days after that conviction—Simpson was arrested again for allegedly choking Silverman, a violation of both his probation and the protective order then in effect.
The Investigation
Maryland State Police investigators quickly identified multiple inconsistencies between Simpson's account and physical evidence at the scene. The swing set was located 155 feet from the house, and authorities determined the backyard was "almost completely dark" that night—making it an "impossibility" for Simpson to have seen Silverman hanging as he claimed.
Police also noted that Simpson called his mother three times before ultimately waiting "at least 30 additional minutes" before contacting 911. His account of who else was present at the scene shifted: initially stating his mother was there, only for her to later tell police she was not.
Simpson had claimed Silverman had not been at the Cecilton home for "several months," but neighbors told investigators they saw her there just two days before her death. Police said evidence indicated the scene had been staged.
Perhaps most damning, records show that "shortly" after Silverman's death, Simpson was "actively seeking dates on Tinder." According to court documents, he identified himself to potential matches as a widower with no "baby momma drama"—despite being the father of at least two of Silverman's children.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Silverman, 27, was a mother of four: 11-month-old twins and two sons ages 3 and 4
- Jason Simpson, 29, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond at the Cecil County Detention Center
- Investigators determined it would have been physically impossible for Simpson to see the swing set from inside the darkened home
- Police believe the scene was staged to suggest a suicide rather than a homicide
- Court records document a history of domestic violence between Simpson and Silverman, including prior convictions and protection orders
- Simpson allegedly created dating profiles identifying himself as a widower within days of Silverman's death
What's Next
Simpson is currently in custody without bond at the Cecil County Detention Center. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Sept. 25, when he will face formal proceedings related to the second-degree murder charge. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to build their case.