The Unsolved Tragedies of Ashley Ouellette and Tony Torres
Today’s post includes two unsolved cases that have stuck with me for years. When going over the information it may seem obvious who is responsible for these horrific crimes, but over two decades there these victims still do not have justice.
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In the quiet town of Saco, Maine, 15-year-old Ashley Ouellette was known for her loving nature and typical teenage spirit. A student at Thornton Academy, she had a close bond with her parents, Bob and Lise Ouellette. Like many teens, Ashley sometimes felt her parents were too strict, but there was no real conflict—just the normal push and pull of growing up.
The Night That Changed Everything
On the evening of February 9, 1999, Ashley asked her parents if she could spend the night at her friend Alia Page’s house. It was a school night, but things had been going well between Ashley and her parents, so they agreed, believing she would be safe. Tragically, this would be the last time they saw their daughter alive.
Ashley called home at 10 p.m. to say goodnight, reassuring her mother that she and Alia were painting their nails and getting ready for bed. They exchanged “I love yous” before hanging up. But the night didn’t end there.
At some point, the sleepover turned into more of a party, and Ashley and Alia left to visit brothers Daniel and Steven Sanborn, classmates of theirs. A friend, Jason “Jay” Carney, gave them a ride. Ashley reportedly had a crush on Steven, which may have influenced her decision to go.
As the night wore on, Alia decided to leave, but Ashley stayed behind. What happened next remains a mystery.
A Chilling Discovery
At 4 a.m., a man driving along Pine Point Road in Scarborough—about 10 miles from where Ashley had been—came across a horrific scene. Lying lifeless in the road was Ashley Ouellette. He reported that her body was still warm but appeared blue, with blood around her nose and mouth.
The police later confirmed that Ashley had been strangled, her neck broken.
Her parents were called to the station, where Bob Ouellette had the devastating task of identifying his daughter from a photograph. It was a moment that would change their lives forever.
The Sanborn Connection
Ashley was last seen alive at the Sanborn home, and her mother, Lise, has long believed that Daniel Sanborn—or someone in the family—was involved in her murder. The Sanborns’ account of that night is questionable.
According to them, Ashley claimed she had been kicked out of her home and needed a place to stay. Muriel Sanborn, the boys’ mother, says she set up a bed for Ashley on the couch around midnight and went to sleep. The family claimed they woke up the next morning, and Ashley was simply gone.
However, police weren’t convinced. A search warrant for the Sanborn home and Daniel’s car revealed disturbing evidence:
Bloodstains in the house
Signs of sexual activity (semen found)
Patches of dried brown grass in Daniel’s car, similar to what was found on Ashley’s body
Firearms in the home, particularly in the boys’ rooms
Daniel Sanborn already had a record, including an assault on a police officer and drug-related charges. Many suspected that Ashley was killed in the Sanborn home and later dumped on Pine Point Road.
The Disappearance of Tony Torres
Three months later, another tragedy struck.
Tony Torres, a popular, well-liked college student, was back home visiting his parents in Maine. One evening, while watching TV with his father, a news segment about Ashley’s case came on. Tony made a chilling remark:
“I know the people who killed her.”
His father urged him to either go to the police or stay silent. Days later, Tony vanished.
That weekend, Tony attended a party at his ex-girlfriend’s house. Around 2 a.m., he and Jay Carney (the same person who had driven Ashley to the Sanborns’ house) left for a quick trip to a convenience store called the Whistle Stopper. The trip should have only taken minutes, yet they were gone for a while.
Jay eventually returned to the party, but Tony was nowhere to be seen. When asked about his whereabouts, Jay claimed that Tony had been picked up by someone in a red truck. Witnesses described Jay as acting strangely upon his return—restless, with wet jeans.
Tony was never seen again.
In 2004, despite never finding his body, Tony Torres was declared legally dead.
Are the Cases Connected?
Both the Ouellettes and the Torres family believe that Tony’s disappearance is tied to Ashley’s murder. If Tony truly knew something about what happened to Ashley, it’s possible that he was silenced before he could speak.
Unfortunately, we may never get answers from Jay Carney, as he passed away from a drug overdose in 2015. The Sanborns, for their part, continue to deny any involvement in Ashley’s case. They also insist that Tony’s disappearance was unrelated and purely drug-related.
Ashley’s family attempted to take legal action against the Sanborns with a wrongful-death lawsuit, but it was dropped when Muriel and Earl Sanborn filed for bankruptcy.
Seeking Justice
The Ouellettes’ tragedy deepened in 2001 when Ashley’s father, Bob, passed away from a heart attack at just 49 years old.
But Lise Ouellette, along with Tony’s family, still holds out hope for answers. More than two decades later, they continue to seek justice for their children.
If you have any information about Ashley Ouellette or Tony Torres, please contact the Maine State Police at (207) 657-3030.