Pregnant woman murdered on day she was to learn baby’s sex: Cops

Police in Kansas are investigating after a pregnant woman was reportedly murdered the same day she was to learn the sex of her baby.

Ashley K. Harlan, 23, who moved this month from Manhattan, Kansas, was found dead Tuesday in her home in Olathe. The Kansas City Star reported that police are currently treating her death as a homicide.

A cause of death hasn’t been released. Additionally, Seargent Logan Bonney told People that they haven’t identified a suspect.

The Star reported that Harlan made the move from Manhattan to Olathe to be closer to the unborn child’s father. Reports indicated that she was 20 weeks pregnant when she died.

Childhood friends told the local newspaper that Harlan was placed in the foster care system when she was young, following her mother’s death. Tabitha Brown, 23, who lived with Harlan for a few months in the same foster home, said Harlan struggled with drugs after running away from the foster home.

“She had a hard time finding her way,” Brown said.

Brown went on to say that Harlan’s friends helped her get clean and that the mother-to-be had begun working as an advocate for victims of sex trafficking at a local Christian ministry.

“I don’t know who would want to hurt her,” Brown said.

“She was the sweetest person I think I’ve ever known.”

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about Ashley Harlan’s murder is urged to call the Olathe Police Department at 913-971-6950 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

[Featured Image: Ashley K. Harlan/Facebook]