In February 2001, Ashley Ellerin, whom Ashton Kutcher was dating at the time, was murdered. While never a suspect, Kutcher testified at the 2019 trial of serial killer Michael Gargiulo. He stated that on the night that Ellerin was murdered, he (Kutcher) had arrived to pick her up for a date, but that she had not answered the door. His information helped establish the time of death.[57][58] Gargiulo was found guilty and sentenced to death on July 16, 2021, for her murder.[59]
In late 2002, he began dating Brittany Murphy, his co-star in Just Married.[60]
Kutcher and Demi Moore met in 2003[61]and married on September 24, 2005.[62] Six years later, on November 17, 2011, Moore announced her intention to end the marriage.[63] After more than a year of separation, Kutcher filed for divorce from Moore on December 21, 2012, in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.[64] The divorce was finalized on November 27, 2013.