Her phone last pinged at her ex-boyfriend’s apartment. It is alleged he fled to the city of Flint, just over an hour out of Detroit.

Police accuse the ex-boyfriend of Googling “is blood traceable” and “how to beat a polygraph” during the investigation into Elkins’ disappearance.

It is also alleged he searched for the fastest route to get to Ohio, a neighbouring state from Michigan where Elkins went missing.

The prosecutor also claimed Booker looked up what to do while on the run, and researched how to delete his Google search history.

Police found Elkins’ car less than 7km from Booker’s apartment, and searched his property the same night. The next day he was arrested.

Booker, 32, has since been charged with allegedly lying to police.

Booker’s bond was set at US$250,000 ($446,000) with prosecutors arguing the search history suggests he could flee if released on bond.

Police seized a rubbish bin from the apartment as part of the investigation.

Booker previously served in the US Army but was removed from the military with a less than honourable discharge after going AWOL in 2017.

The previous year he was charged with several crimes while serving, including larceny and possessing fake identification documents.

He is due back in court next month.

Elkins has not yet been found.