SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Jamie Waterman, a Missouri man accused of helping his wife hide the body of an Arkansas woman that she killed, has changed his plea and is now awaiting a sentence.
Waterman's wife, Amber, kidnapped and murdered Ashley Bush and her unborn child in 2022.
The pair were arrested and charged, eventually pleading not guilty. However, on July 30 this year, Amber changed her plea.
Amber was charged with kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child. Charged with accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death, Jamie was set to go to trial in October 2024 but ultimately filed to change his plea.
The change of plea hearing took place on Oct. 15, the same day that Amber was sentenced to life without parole.
The Crime
Ashley Bush, a pregnant mother of three living in Northwest Arkansas, was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2022.
Days later, on Nov. 3, the Watermans were arrested and interviewed in connection to the case.
According to an indictment, Amber created a fake Facebook account and used it to communicate with Bush, telling her that she could help her get a job and that she could drive her to an interview.
Once Bush was dropped off at a gas station in Maysville by family, Amber allegedly kidnapped her and drove her to her home in Pineville, Missouri.
On the same day, Amber called 911 and said she went into labor, and ultimately "delivered" a stillborn baby. The county medical examiner later told 5NEWS that it looked like the baby was "cut out" of the mother. Amber allegedly refused medical treatment after EMS arrived at the scene.
Investigators said Jamie Waterman wasn't aware of the crimes his wife had committed until Nov. 1 when Amber told him she had killed Bush, but then quickly changed her story and said “Lucy” had killed her.
After telling Jamie that Bush was killed, Amber led him to her body, which was wrapped in a blue tarp near their home. According to investigators, they burned the body in a fire pit on their property and then drove the body a short distance to hide it.
An autopsy showed that Bush died as a result of trauma to her torso, classifying the death as a homicide.
The Watermans were arrested on Nov. 3 and faced charges related to the deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby girl.
For a full timeline of the case, from Bush's disappearance to Amber Waterman's guilty plea, click here.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.