Family Betrayal: The Dottie Lutes Murder Case
This article traces the life and tragic death of Dottie Lutes, a beloved grandmother from Sikeston, Missouri. It covers her early years, the dark events of August 3, 2020, and the subsequent investigation.
We outline the charges, trials, and sentencing of Ashley Riggins, her granddaughter, and her boyfriend, Rayshand Lyons. The article also looks at the current status and community response. It highlights themes of family betrayal, justice served, and the importance of protecting loved ones.
A Family in Shock
Families feel safe in their homes. Yet on August 3, 2020, the Lutes family lost that safety. Dottie Lutes, a 74-year-old grandmother, did not answer her phone. Her bed lay empty. Neighbors saw her car gone. They called the sheriff’s office in Morehouse, Missouri, to start the crime investigation.
Detectives found blood in her room. They found a bloody knife and drag marks. They then found her body wrapped in green carpet in a field near Charleston. The news spread fast in Sikeston and Morehouse. A loving grandmother lay alone in a soybean field. Silence gripped the town.
Early Life and Loving Legacy
Dottie Sue Wyatt was born on October 2, 1946, in Sikeston, Missouri. She grew up with five siblings. Her parents, Alive and Maggie Wyatt, raised her with love and kindness. She met Carroll Lutes at 18. They married in 1964. They had two sons, Allen and Jimmy.
She cared for clients as a home aide and worked at Houchin’s Donuts, where she baked doughnuts. She sang in the choir of Abundant Grace Church. She built a family of two granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren. “She touched every heart she met,” said Judy Wyatt, Dottie’s sister. Her life showed care and joy.
The Tragic Night of August 3, 2020
In the early hours of August 3, 2020, tragedy struck the Lutes’ home. Ashley Riggins and her boyfriend, Rayshand Lyons, planned an assault, court records show. They entered Dottie’s room while she slept. They used a buck knife and a kitchen blade.
They stabbed and slashed her body. Three children woke to cries. Ashley told them to help roll Dottie on a green outdoor carpet. They drove to a field in Charleston and left her there. A farmer found the body hours later. The town felt shock and sorrow. Family and friends mourned a life cut short.
Crime Scene and Investigation
Mississippi County deputies led the investigation at the crime scene. They gathered clues at the home. They found Dottie’s body wrapped in green carpet and taped with duct tape. They also found a broken kitchen knife, a bloody screwdriver, and a buck knife.
They saw drag marks from her bedroom to the door. Detectives charged Ashley and Rayshand with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, first-degree robbery, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and three counts of child neglect.
The couple was held in jail without bond. Investigators said tension grew between Ashley and her grandmother. The case drew state attention.
Trials and Sentencing in Court
In March 2023, Rayshand Lyons pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He received 30 years, plus 20 years for an escape attempt. In April 2023, a jury found Ashley Riggins guilty of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, evidence tampering, and child neglect.
On September 6, 2023, a judge gave her life without parole, plus extra years for each charge. Judge Karen Smith said, “This crime demands the highest sentence.” Family members sat silently in court. Some wept. Some stared straight ahead. The verdict brought heavy grief and relief. Many felt that justice helped heal a broken community.
Where They Stand Today
As of June 2025, Ashley Riggins is currently incarcerated at Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. Rayshand Lyons serves his term at Southeast Correctional Center. Both face lengthy sentences. The case drew national attention through TV shows.
In 2021, Investigation Discovery aired an episode on the crime. The story taught lessons on trust and family. It showed how anger can lead to loss. The local church holds an annual remembrance for Dottie.
Her grandchildren now live with extended family. They share memories and honor her kindness. The community works to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. People vow to speak up when they sense danger.
Final Words
The murder of Dottie Lutes shows how betrayal can hide behind familiar faces. It reminds us to stay alert and speak up when we see signs of pain. It honors the memory of a kind grandmother who left a strong legacy.
It tells us that justice can bring healing, even when the hurt runs deep. As we reflect on this case, we remember Dottie’s warmth and the loss her family endured. We also pledge to support victims and work together to protect our loved ones. May this story inspire us to cultivate compassion and safety in our homes.
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