Ashford is a former student of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was visiting a residence hall on campus in the 800 block of Chestnut Street during the early afternoon of April 28, 1998 when he received an electronic page and made a telephone call. He told the person at the other end of the line to meet him outside. Ashford was last seen leaving the parking lot in a vehicle with other individuals. He left his own car behind. He has never been heard from again.

Foul play is suspected in Ashford's disappearance. He resided in St. Louis, Missouri at the time he went missing.