The funeral for the 28-year-old woman who was gunned down in her back garden will take place today. Ashley Dale will be laid to rest today at midday at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
The former council worker was killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in the early hours of Sunday, August 21 and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately". Worried neighbours alerted police about the shooting after hearing the shots and seeing a woman lying on the ground of the home on Leinster Road, Old Swan.
Miss Dale was pronounced dead a short while later. Merseyside Police say they do not believe Ashley was the intended target of the gunman, but believe her address was targeted and they are carrying out investigations to determine why.
READ MORE: Family pay heartbreaking tribute to boy whose horrific death has sparked major murder investigation
As reported in the ECHO, Miss Dale was considered a "rising star" at Knowsley Council, where she worked as an Environmental Health Officer. Flowers were left at her desk as colleagues paid tribute to her.
Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, said the gesture was made by members of her team at the council “hit especially hard” by her death. Speaking at a meeting of Knowsley Council’s cabinet earlier this month (September 7), Cllr Morgan said: “The council lost a rising star when she was tragically and senselessly killed.”
He added: "Myself and Cllr 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."
On September 14, officers arrested four men in connection with Miss Dale's killing at locations across Merseyside and Cumbria. The suspects include:
- A 27-year-old man from Roby arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm
- A 40-year-old man from Huyton arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm
- A 35-year-old man from Old Swan arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm
- A 57-year-old man from Croxteth arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender
On September 15, Merseyside Police announced that the three men arrested on suspicion of murder have now been released on conditional bail, while the fourth suspect was released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Two men and two women previously arrested in connection with Miss Dale's murder remain on bail.
Miss Dale was pronounced dead a short while later. The fatal shooting came five days after the death of Sam Rimmer in Dingle and less than 24 hours before the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Dovecot.
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