‘I don’t want to see you unless you’re in a coffin’: Family of murdered Las Vegas mother shows warning signs

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The parents of a woman shot and killed by her ex-stepfather say a family court judge ignored warning signs.

Ashley Prince, 30, was shot and killed April 8, and her husband, Dennis Prince, 57, who represented her during a child custody deposition at his Las Vegas law office, also been killed. Joseph Houston II, 77, a lawyer who represented his son, Dylan Houston, shot them before turning the gun on himself.

“Unfortunately, all of our fears have come true,” Julie Page, Ashley Prince’s mother, said at a news conference Monday. “Over the past two years, we have felt helpless and devastated as we watched Ashley suffer verbal and mental abuse and threats from her husband, her former husband Dylan Houston.”

Dylan Houston repeatedly sent threatening text messages to Ashley Prince – as many as 70 a day, according to her father Paul Page.

Page read some of these text messages:

“I don’t want to see you unless you’re in a coffin.”

“I will reduce you to a weaker, worthless bag of bones.”

“I’m going to crush you in ways you don’t even understand.”

Paul and Julie Page said their daughter’s legal battle failed as she tried to get protections for herself and her children.

Clark County District Court Judge Bill Henderson handled the case. 8 News Now investigators contacted Henderson.

“The court cannot comment due to ongoing matters,” a district court spokesperson responded by email.

Five days before the shooting, Dylan Houston, who is also a lawyer, emailed Dennis Prince: “You have no idea what’s going to happen do you, all your cards are on the table.” table and I haven’t played a single one. “, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now investigators.

The email was sent at 1:28 a.m. on April 4.

Dylan Houston appears to be referencing a surveillance report that doesn’t cast him in a positive light, according to a source with knowledge of the child custody case.

Dylan Houston was observed drinking excessively on March 29, according to a report from De Becker Investigations. The report stated that Dylan Houston drank five glasses of three shots each over approximately four hours. Although another individual attempted to stop Dylan Houston from driving, he got behind the wheel and swerved onto the road, according to the report.

Dylan Houston had to take breathalyzer tests before spending time with his children, according to previous court documents in the child custody case. The court battle also included an order of protection against Dylan Houston in April 2022, which was extended, according to court records.

Ashley Prince expressed safety concerns ahead of Monday’s custody deposition.

“Do you have private security to recommend?” she texted private detective Hal De Becker. “Dylan has a ton of guns in this house.”

The Thursday before the shooting, Ashley Prince canceled security after learning her ex-husband would not be present at the deposition.

“Nothing on Monday, he won’t be here,” she said.

On the afternoon of the deadly shooting, Henderson ordered that Ashley Prince’s sister be given temporary custody of the two children rather than Dylan Houston.

Henderson referenced the shooting and surveillance report from De Becker Investigations.

“Placing the parties’ minor children with Plaintiff would be detrimental to the children, and awarding custody to a non-parent is necessary to serve the best interests of the children, based on the recent actions of Plaintiff’s father and Plaintiff ” wrote Henderson.

The Princes recently had a child together, friends confirmed to 8 News Now investigators.

Lexi Page, Ashley Prince’s sister, said all three children were with her.

Julie and Paul Page said they will continue to fight for custody of their grandchildren.

The Houston family released a statement Monday afternoon after the press conference:

“We cannot begin to imagine the devastating sense of loss felt by the Page and Prince families. We understand their shock and their anger. We too are shocked. None of us could ever have imagined that our loving father would do something so blatantly out of character. We hope that through the darkness, despair and grief, we can focus on the needs of children. This goal extends to refraining from public rebuttals and accusations. Dylan is a devoted father and is particularly committed to the well-being of his children. We hope Dylan and his children will be together soon and we can all begin to heal.

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