“One bus ride, one deadly deal—how a chance encounter turned into cold-blooded murder.”
A Colorado woman has been convicted of murdering her boyfriend—with the help of a complete stranger she met on a bus.
Ashley White, 29, was found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and robbery after plotting with a man known only as “Scott” to kill Cody DeLisa, 28, because he doubted her ability to hold a job.
The case, which sounds like something out of a crime thriller, reveals a disturbing mix of resentment, manipulation, and a chillingly random partnership in crime.
A Toxic Relationship Turned Deadly
Prosecutors described White and DeLisa’s relationship as strained and volatile, with frequent arguments—many of them revolving around her struggles to find stable employment.
White grew increasingly resentful of DeLisa’s criticism, even writing in her diary that she regretted ever meeting him.
Her behavior became more alarming when she attempted to drown and burn DeLisa’s cat, signaling a deepening instability.
Then came August 13, 2020—the day that changed everything.
The Fateful Bus Ride
That day, White had a job interview in Denver. While riding home on a bus, she texted DeLisa about it, but he expressed doubt about her chances of getting hired.
She was already upset when she struck up a conversation with a random man who called himself “Scott.”
Scott, for reasons still unknown, quickly escalated their chat to a murderous proposal.
- He asked if White was in a relationship and if her boyfriend had ever raped her.
- White said yes, despite there being no evidence of abuse.
- Scott immediately suggested killing DeLisa, and White went along with it.
The two got off the bus together, firing Scott’s gun for practice before heading to White’s home.
Murder in Cold Blood
Once at her house, White introduced Scott to DeLisa as her “brother from Texas.”
Not long after, DeLisa was shot twice in the head. His wallet was stolen, and his body was discovered the next day when police conducted a welfare check.
Scott and White spent several days together after the murder, before parting ways—never seeing each other again.
Who Was ‘Scott’—And How He Got Away
For three years, the identity of Scott remained a mystery.
Then, in 2023, a woman came forward claiming that her boyfriend, Michael Stratton, had confessed to the crime.
Stratton was already in custody for a separate murder in Pueblo, Colorado that happened after DeLisa’s killing.
While White’s story matched Stratton’s girlfriend’s account, he was never charged in DeLisa’s case because he was deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Justice Served—But Not Fully
Prosecutors made it clear that White was a key player in the murder and bore significant responsibility for DeLisa’s death.
“This was a tragic and senseless murder, and Ashley White bears significant culpability for it,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “Her callous actions led to the victim’s death, and now she will pay a significant price.”
White was convicted and will be sentenced on April 4, 2024.
