Justice Served: Christopher Dunn Receives Life Sentence for Horrific Double Murder of Mother and Son

In a solemn conclusion to a devastating chapter, Christopher Dunn has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal 2021 murders of his former girlfriend, Autumn Blaylock, and her innocent 6-year-old son, Levi Ashworth. The judgment handed down in Jefferson County Circuit Court brings a measure of finality to a case that shocked the Arnold community and left two families shattered by an unspeakable act of violence.

Dunn, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and one count of abandoning a corpse.

This plea spared the victims' families the emotional toll of a prolonged trial, yet the raw pain of their loss remains palpable. Prosecutor Peter T. Banaszak affirmed that the life sentence without parole ensures Dunn will never walk free, a crucial step towards justice for Autumn and Levi.

The horrific events unfolded in January 2021.

Autumn Blaylock, 32, was discovered deceased in her vehicle in a rural, wooded area of Ste. Genevieve County. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation. Days later, an even more harrowing discovery was made: her young son, Levi Ashworth, was found dead in her Arnold home, also a victim of strangulation.

The immediate concern for Levi after his mother's disappearance quickly escalated into a desperate search, culminating in this heartbreaking find.

The investigation swiftly focused on Christopher Dunn, Blaylock's former boyfriend, who had been involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with her.

Initial interviews saw Dunn claim a drug-induced blackout, stating he couldn't recall the events of that night. However, the weight of the evidence and the relentless pursuit of truth by investigators led to a chilling confession.

Dunn admitted to strangling Autumn Blaylock in her car. Following this heinous act, he drove to her home in Arnold.

There, in a cold and calculated move, he confessed to strangling Levi Ashworth, acknowledging the child was a witness to his mother's murder. This horrifying detail underscored the absolute brutality and depravity of his actions, extinguishing two lives – one protecting her child, the other, a child robbed of his future.

During the sentencing, the victims' families bravely shared their anguish and the profound impact of their loss.

Sarah Ashworth, Levi's grandmother, expressed the enduring pain, stating, .