GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Nearly eight years after April Arnett’s body was discovered along Kentucky Highway 2328, her alleged killer is set to face trial. Ryan “Todd” Crawley, 42, from Sadieville, will appear in court starting May 17, 2027, accused of kidnapping and murdering the 39-year-old Lexington mother of three.
The scheduled trial represents a new phase in a complex case that has gone through numerous legal maneuvers since Arnett’s body was found on August 17, 2019. Authorities allege that Arnett was killed in Scott County and later her remains were concealed before being discarded in Madison County. Crawley faces serious charges, including murder, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence, following a February indictment that placed him firmly at the center of the investigation.
Crawley has pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to law enforcement, the timeline of events points to August 13, 2019, when Arnett was last seen. Initial reports indicated that a body of an unidentified woman had been discovered. It was only later that the remains were confirmed by state medical examiners to belong to Arnett.
Details from the indictment reveal that Crawley allegedly had a role in hiding evidence related to Arnett’s death. He reportedly concealed her body under his trailer, though authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of her death. Previously, Crawley pleaded guilty to charges associated with evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse, but this did not resolve the ongoing investigation concerning Arnett’s murder.
In addition to Crawley, four others have been charged in connection with Arnett’s abduction. They are Doug Crawley, Bridgett Lyons, Jenny Keller, and James Watson. Their indictments broaden the narrative, alleging that these individuals participated in the kidnapping and helped dispose of or destroy crucial evidence.
Court documents outline a grim scenario in which Ryan Crawley and Doug Crawley allegedly transported Arnett’s body wrapped in a tarp, attempting to discard it from the Old Clays Ferry Bridge. However, their plan faltered when the body became entangled on a guide wire, compelling them to ultimately leave it beside Old Lexington Road.
The case garnered renewed attention with the arrests of multiple defendants, giving a clearer picture of the events surrounding Arnett’s disappearance. Law enforcement initially launched a death investigation, and soon after, confirmed Arnett’s identity to her family, a moment described by her sister, Cara Parsons, as “a punch in the gut.” Parsons has emphasized her sister’s devotion to her children.
As the trial approaches, the prosecution still bears the burden of establishing its case against Crawley. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty regarding the murder and kidnapping charges. Questions have been raised about the significant timespan between the crime and the later charges, which may influence legal strategies by both the defense and prosecution.
Pretrial proceedings leading up to the trial in 2027 are anticipated to focus on evidentiary disputes and the coordination of testimonies from the co-defendants. With the convoluted timeline and ongoing investigations, both sides will have to navigate the complexities of the case that extends well beyond initial arrests.
The case against Crawley and the other defendants remains active in Scott County Circuit Court as the legal proceedings continue to unfold, setting a stage for a trial that is expected to draw significant public interest.