In a high-profile case dubbed the “Black Swan Murder,” former ballerina Ashley Benefield, 32, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2020 shooting death of her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, 58. The sentencing, handed down by a Manatee County judge on December 3, 2024, also includes 10 years of probation following her prison term.
The couple’s tumultuous relationship began in 2016 when they married just 13 days after meeting at a political event. They co-founded the American National Ballet, but their partnership soon soured amid allegations of abuse and mismanagement. Ashley accused Doug of emotional abuse and claimed he had attempted to poison her, allegations that a judge later found lacked credible evidence.
On September 27, 2020, Ashley shot Doug twice during an altercation at her mother’s home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. She claimed self-defense, stating that Doug had lunged at her during a confrontation. However, prosecutors argued that she orchestrated the shooting to gain sole custody of their young daughter, portraying her actions as premeditated.
In July 2024, after nearly seven hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Ashley of manslaughter with a firearm, a lesser charge than the original second-degree murder count. The conviction carried a maximum sentence of 30 years. During sentencing, Circuit Judge Matt Whyte denied defense motions for a new trial based on claims of juror misconduct, finding them without merit.
Doug Benefield’s family expressed relief at the sentencing. His daughter from a previous marriage, Eva Benefield, voiced hope that the prison term would serve justice. The case has drawn national attention, with some comparing Ashley to the protagonist of the 2010 film “Black Swan,” highlighting the dramatic and tragic elements of the couple’s story.
