‘She Did Everything Right’: The Domestic Violence Tragedy Behind the Murder of Ashley Lockhart

By Yasmin Chaudhary - The Inkwell Times

On the morning of August 6, 2022, West Philadelphia was shaken by a brutal act of domestic violence that cost 32-year-old Ashley Lockhart her life. A devoted mother known to her daughters as their “Six Charms,” Lockhart was found stabbed to death in a Honda Odyssey minivan on the 5300 block of Chestnut Street shortly before 8:30 a.m. — a killing now tied directly to her intimate partner.

A Protective Order That Wasn’t Enough

Police and prosecutors have confirmed that Lockhart had obtained a Protection From Abuse order against her fiancé, 34-year-old Raymond Thompson, before she was killed. 

Protective orders are legal tools intended to help victims of domestic violence keep their abusers away, yet this tragic case underscores their limitations:

• Lockhart and Thompson were still living together despite the protective order.  
• It isn’t clear in public reporting exactly when the order was issued or which conditions it included, because authorities have not released that level of detail.  

This aligns with what domestic violence survivors often know too well: a protection order can create legal boundaries, but without removal of the partner from the shared living space, the risk remains high.

The Attack and Immediate Aftermath

According to police reports:

• Lockhart was found with multiple stab wounds to her neck, arms, and body inside the minivan.  
• Less than an hour after the discovery, Thompson turned himself in to police and was taken into custody.  
• Investigators later said Thompson told detectives he killed Lockhart because he believed she was cheating on him — a jealous motive corroborated in court reporting.  

Video footage from nearby surveillance captured Thompson entering and leaving the van prior to Lockhart being found — reinforcing that this was a targeted, intimate act of violence.

Thompson’s Criminal History

While reporting hasn’t laid out a detailed history of domestic violence calls specifically between Lockhart and Thompson prior to the murder, available public records show that Thompson had multiple prior arrests dating back years, including for violent or drug-related offenses. 

Most notably:

• In 2018, he was sentenced to 6 to 23 months in jail after pleading guilty to resisting arrest and related charges, during which he reportedly tried to elude police by jumping onto train tracks.  
• The CBS Philadelphia homicide chief described his record as “lengthy,” though specifics were not released.  

There’s no public reporting to date that law enforcement was repeatedly called to the home for domestic disturbances before Lockhart filed her protective order, but the existence of the order itself — plus Thompson’s past arrests — strongly suggests a history of instability and danger in the relationship.

A Sentence That Aims for Justice

In April 2024, Thompson pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in connection with Lockhart’s death. In June 2024, Judge Diana Anhalt sentenced him to 22½ to 45 years in prison, making clear she wanted him to serve the full 45 years behind bars. 

During sentencing, the judge noted the horrific nature of the crime, recalling it as one of the most violent cases she had seen. The prosecution supported the plea, saying it was appropriate based on Thompson’s confession and the evidence presented.

The Costs Extend Beyond the Courtroom

Ashley Lockhart’s death left a devastating void for her six daughters, who were aged from 5 months to 10 years at the time of her murder.  A fundraising campaign set up by family members sought to support the girls’ needs and has drawn community support in the years since. 

Community leaders and advocates also pointed to this case as part of a broader trend of violence against women in Philadelphia, where statistics have shown an increase in homicides involving female victims in recent years.