A heartbroken fiancée has shared her grief after her partner was found dead - just months before they were due to get married. Rachel Crozier, 28, said the unexpected passing of her partner David Ashmore had robbed the couple of the chance to fulfil their dreams together.
Mr Ashmore died at the age of 33 in Radford. He was found dead on February 12. The couple were due to marry in October. They lived together in Kimberley, the couple bringing up their nine-year-old daughter, Myah Ashmore, in a happy home.
Ms Crozier described her partner as a "great family man" and said he left a huge void in their lives. Nursery manager Ms Crozier said: "He was an amazing dad. We were meant to be getting married in October and we had so many dreams to fulfil - it's so sad that we will never have that chance again.
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"He was just such a great family man as well as being my best friend. He was a very caring person, one of those people who would see an old person struggling with shopping and go help them.
"Him and Myah had a very special bond; it was like they were a little team, he would always protect her. If she were to fall she would have cuddles from and take comfort from him."
The cause of Mr Ashmore's death is yet to be determined. Nottinghamshire Police were called to Rifle Street, Radford, at 9.30am on Saturday, February 12, after a report of a sudden death.
Officers cordoned off Denman Street West and said the man's death was unexplained. Recalling the day she received the heartbreaking news, Ms Crozier said she was at work before realising what had happened.
"I remember going on Facebook and seeing 'breaking news' about a death. And it wasn't until 6.30pm on the Saturday night that I found it that it was my fiancé," she said.
Mr Ashmore worked for Cleansheet in Bulwell and grew up around Bilborough. He was outgoing and well known in the area, his partner said.
"We really enjoyed watching boxing and going out for country walks, he was really into keeping himself healthy - lifting weights and stuff like that," Ms Crozier said. "But the majority of the weekend would be all about family time, he was a really good cook, teaching our little girl how to cook - I need to learn how to cook now.
"He was very well known to the Bilborough/Strelley sort of area where he grew up." His funeral took place earlier this month and the service was "absolutely packed", Ms Crozier said. "It was such a lovely turnout, people were standing."
Mr Ashmore had started renovating his family home's garden for his daughter, the family having moved to Kimberley during the pandemic. His fiancée said that it was now her mission to finish off the half-finished garden as his 'legacy'.
"David started a project before he passed away, we moved into our house about two years ago now during lockdown. He was a perfectionist he wanted to make sure it was immaculate and he really wanted to build a lovely home for his family," Ms Crozier added.
"He had plans for the garden to turn it into a lovely place for Myah to enjoy throughout the summer. He was half way through it so we don't have any slabs; at the moment it's just a big water bath.
"It would really nice to finish that off as a legacy. My little girl is really struggling so I thought it would be a nice way for her to take comfort throughout the summer months, enjoying it how her and her dad would have done."
An online fundraising page has been set up to support the campaign for the memorial garden. A family statement on the page said: "Any help would be hugely appreciated, whether that is by helping with costs, tools, resources, etc." People can donate to the fundraiser by clicking here.
