A Las Vegas family is facing an unimaginable loss after Ashley Marie Avila, 33, and her estranged husband, identified by relatives as Jack Novelo, were found dead inside a home on Monday, August 24, 2026. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. Investigators believe the husband forced his way into the residence while the couple were separated, waited for his wife to return, shot her and then fatally shot himself. Two teenage daughters returned home from school and discovered their parents. Family members have since identified the woman as Ashley Avila, a mother and chef remembered for her talent, determination and devotion to her children.
Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila died in an apparent murder-suicide in Las Vegas on August 24, 2026. Police said the separated husband entered his wife’s home, waited for her and shot her before shooting himself. Ashley’s relatives have publicly identified her and accused Novelo of killing her. Their two daughters discovered the couple after returning home from school.
What Happened to Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila?
The Las Vegas murder-suicide involving Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila unfolded Monday afternoon in the east Las Vegas Valley.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, dispatchers received a report at approximately 3:40 p.m. of two people shot inside an apartment in the 4900 block of South Nellis Boulevard. Patrol officers arrived and found a woman and a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Medical personnel responded, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said homicide detectives later determined that the man had shot his wife before shooting himself. Investigators also established that the couple had recently separated.
LVMPD’s initial public release did not name either person, noting that formal identification and official cause and manner of death would come through the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
Relatives subsequently identified the woman publicly as Ashley Marie Avila and named Jack Novelo as her husband.
Police Say Husband Forced His Way Into Home
Additional details provided by LVMPD Lt. Robert Price indicate investigators believe the shooting was not a spontaneous confrontation.
Police said the husband allegedly forced his way into his estranged wife’s residence and waited for her to come home. When she arrived, investigators believe he shot her and then turned the gun on himself.
The official LVMPD release confirms the couple had recently separated and that detectives determined the husband shot his wife before killing himself.
Authorities have described the case as an ongoing homicide investigation.
Two Daughters Found Their Parents After School
One of the most devastating elements of the case is how the deaths were discovered.
Police said one of the couple’s teenage daughters returned from school and called 911 after discovering her parents. A second daughter was also involved in discovering the scene.
The children were not physically injured.
Police said a guardian later took custody of them.
The deaths have therefore left two young girls grieving their mother and father while also dealing with the traumatic circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Who Was Ashley Marie Avila?
Ashley Marie Avila was born on November 4, 1992, according to a tribute posted by her mother, who said Ashley died on August 24, 2026, at the age of 33.
She was remembered by her family as a devoted mother, daughter, sister and aunt.
Ashley also built a career in the culinary industry.
Former colleagues described her as a talented chef with a strong personality and deep commitment to her work. Her culinary background can also be independently traced through earlier coverage of the Las Vegas restaurant scene.
In 2020, Eater Las Vegas reported that Ashley Avila had worked as a prep cook at Makers & Finders before becoming pastry chef at Take It Easy, a Colombian-inspired coffee shop and bakery. Daily Coffee News likewise reported that she led the kitchen and food programme there, preparing pastries, cakes, empanadas and Colombian baked goods.
That history gives additional context to the many tributes describing Ashley as a gifted cook and baker.
Williams & Graham Remembers Former Chef Ashley Avila
Ashley also worked as a chef at Williams & Graham and Occidental.
Following her death, Williams & Graham remembered her as an important former member of its restaurant family.
The establishment described Ashley as talented, funny, determined, passionate and deeply memorable to those who worked alongside her. Most importantly, colleagues emphasised that she was a mother whose two teenage daughters were now facing an extraordinary loss.
The restaurant community said Ashley remained part of its story even after she moved on professionally.
Her career reflected years spent working in demanding Las Vegas kitchens while building relationships with coworkers who later came to view one another as family.
Ashley’s Mother Says Her Daughter Was Murdered
Ashley’s mother, Angel Apodaca, has spoken publicly and emotionally about her daughter’s death.
She identified her daughter as Ashley Marie Avila and described her as her firstborn, best friend and one of the central people in her life.
In subsequent posts, she directly accused Jack Novelo of killing Ashley before taking his own life.
That allegation is consistent with the basic sequence publicly described by Las Vegas police—that the husband shot his wife and then himself—although LVMPD has not used the names Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila in its initial public press release.
For E-E-A-T and accuracy purposes, that distinction is important: police have confirmed the murder-suicide scenario, while the names have been supplied publicly by Ashley’s relatives and community.
Family and Friends Remember Ashley Avila
Tributes following Ashley’s death have focused heavily on her role as a mother and the warmth she brought to people around her.
Her mother remembered her as talented, caring, intelligent and hardworking.
A relative, Stephanie Martinez, described Ashley as a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, a talented baker and cook, and an devoted mother.
Former colleagues similarly remembered someone who could be determined and stubborn but was also funny, passionate and deeply valued.
Collectively, those remembrances paint a picture of a woman whose identity extended far beyond the violent circumstances of her death.
Ashley had built a life around her daughters, family, friendships and culinary work.
Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila Had Been Separated
Police have specifically said the husband and wife had recently separated before the shooting.
Investigators believe the husband entered the residence rather than being invited inside and waited for Ashley to return.
Those details are significant because they form part of the police reconstruction of what happened before the killings.
Ashley’s family has also referred to previous legal trouble involving Novelo. However, the specific allegation that he had been released from jail only about a week before the shooting comes from family statements and has not yet been independently detailed in the public LVMPD release reviewed for this article.
Until court or police records establish those circumstances, they should be treated separately from confirmed investigative findings.
Las Vegas Police Continue Investigation
The LVMPD Homicide Section remains responsible for the investigation.
Police said anyone with information regarding the case can contact homicide detectives at 702-828-3521. Anonymous information can be provided through Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office is responsible for releasing the formal identities as well as the official causes and manners of death.
The police investigation remains ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila?
Police say a recently separated husband forced his way into his wife’s Las Vegas residence, waited for her to return, shot her and then fatally shot himself. Ashley’s family has publicly identified the couple as Ashley Avila and Jack Novelo.
When did the Las Vegas murder-suicide happen?
The shooting occurred on Monday, August 24, 2026, at a residence in the 4900 block of South Nellis Boulevard near Tropicana Avenue. Police received the shooting report at approximately 3:40 p.m.
Who was Ashley Avila?
Ashley Marie Avila was a 33-year-old mother of two teenage daughters and a Las Vegas culinary professional. Earlier restaurant coverage documented her work as a pastry chef and kitchen leader, while former colleagues at Williams & Graham and Occidental remembered her as a talented and passionate chef.
Conclusion
The deaths of Jack Novelo and Ashley Avila have left two daughters and an extended family confronting a devastating loss. Police say the couple had separated before the husband entered Ashley’s Las Vegas residence, shot her and then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Beyond the details of the Las Vegas murder-suicide, Ashley Marie Avila is being remembered as a mother, daughter, sister, friend and talented chef whose work touched several parts of the Las Vegas culinary community.
The LVMPD Homicide Section continues to investigate, while formal identification and final cause-and-manner findings remain with the Clark County Coroner’s Office. As further information emerges, claims about the couple’s prior legal or relationship history should remain clearly separated from facts confirmed by investigators.
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