Hundreds attend funeral for ‘rising star’ Ashley Dale after she was shot in her garden
A young council worker shot dead in her own garden was laid to rest yesterday, with hundreds gathering at Liverpool Cathedral for her funeral.
Ashley Dale, 28, is thought to have been killed by mistake on August 21, with police believing she was not the intended target.
A gunman fired multiple shots ‘indiscriminately’ and she was hit while outside in her own property in Old Swan, Merseyside.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with her death, but nobody has been charged.
Her funeral yesterday was held at the Anglican cathedral at 12pm, with her white coffin arriving in a hearse topped with flowers spelling ‘Daughter’ and ‘Our Ash’.
The service led by Acting Bishop of Liverpool Beverley Mason was then followed by a private cremation service.
Ashley’s death came during a week of tragedy for Liverpool, with nine-year-old Oliva Pratt-Korbel also being shot dead in her own home a day later.
On the day of her funeral, more tributes were paid to ‘rising star’ Ashley, who had just been promoted at her work as an environmental health officer.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “My heart goes out to the family, friends and loved ones of Ashley Dale as they lay her to rest today. Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences on this difficult day.’
Previously, Leader of Knowsley Council, Councillor Graham Morgan said: ‘The council lost a rising star when she was tragically and senselessly killed.’
He added: ‘Myself and Councillor Powell have met with Ashley’s team and it goes without saying they are absolutely devastated by her loss. Ashley had been involved in supporting many elected members, all of whom have commented on how positively she approached her work and how very supportive she was.’
Miss Dale’s family described her as a ‘hard working young woman’ in a statement issued via Merseyside police after her death.
They said: ‘Ashley, our girl – our shining light. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces. Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her.
‘She had just been promoted at her job with Knowsley Council. She had a degree and so many plans for her bright future that had only just begun. Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.
‘We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought.’
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