Ashley Critchley, 38, was found dead early Saturday morning in a roadside ditch along Apple Grove Road, a quiet rural stretch in Morgan County that many locals travel without a second thought. Her body was discovered just after dawn, turning an ordinary morning into a moment of shock for the communities nearby.
Critchley, who lived in Somerville, was found around 7:15 a.m. on January 17 near the intersection of Apple Grove Road and County Road 78. The area sits between Hartselle and Decatur, surrounded by open land, narrow shoulders, and long, dim stretches of pavement. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn confirmed her death and said early signs suggest she may have been struck by a vehicle.
Deputies with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office responded after a passerby noticed a woman lying in a ditch along the road and called for help. The area was quickly secured as investigators began working the scene. Because of the circumstances, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency took over the case to determine exactly what happened in the hours before she was found.
Days before her death, Critchley posted a deeply emotional message on Facebook that has since drawn attention from those who knew her and those just learning her name. In the post, dated January 15, she wrote about feeling overwhelmed, unheard, and exhausted by life. The message ended with what sounded like a goodbye. Authorities have not said whether the post is connected to her death, but it has added a painful layer to an already troubling case.
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Apple Grove Road is familiar to many drivers in Morgan County. It links small towns like Hartselle, Falkville, and Decatur and sees steady traffic, especially in the early morning. Locals say the road has limited lighting and tight margins, conditions that can make walking or driving risky when visibility is low.
Investigators are now focused on determining whether Critchley was hit by a vehicle and, if so, who was responsible. State troopers are reviewing nearby traffic cameras, talking with potential witnesses, and searching the area for any physical evidence that could explain how she ended up in the ditch.
Her body was taken from the scene for an autopsy, which is expected to help establish the exact cause of death. The coroner’s office confirmed that additional forensic testing will be part of the process as investigators work to piece together a clear timeline.
News of Critchley’s death has unsettled residents across the area. Many have renewed concerns about safety on rural roads, especially during early morning and evening hours. Law enforcement has long warned drivers to slow down and stay alert on roads like Apple Grove, where lighting is poor and conditions can change quickly.
For now, no suspects or persons of interest have been named. Authorities say the investigation remains active and that they are following every lead available. Anyone with information about what happened along Apple Grove Road that morning is urged to contact local law enforcement.
Critchley’s death adds to a growing list of traffic-related fatalities in rural parts of northern Alabama, a reminder of how fragile life can be on roads often taken for granted. As the investigation continues, a family and a community are left waiting for answers.
