Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Family of council worker shot in Liverpool mark first anniversary of her death

Ashley Dale, 28, died at her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21 last year.

Eleanor Barlow
Monday 21 August 2023 00:01 BST
Ashley Dale was shot dead in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21 2022 (Family handout/PA)
Ashley Dale was shot dead in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21 2022 (Family handout/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The mother of a council worker who was shot has vowed to keep her memory alive as the family marks the first anniversary of her death.

Ashley Dale, 28, was found with a gunshot wound in the back garden of her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21 last year.

In a tribute, her mother Julie Dale said: “A huge hole has been left since Ashley was taken from us one year ago. A void in our family that will never be replaced.

I’m glad that we have a place to go and remember Ash, at her bench in Court Hey Park

Julie Dale

“This past year has been unbearable without Ash, some days I don’t know how I go on.

“But I do with the support of family and friends. We vow to keep Ash’s memory alive and talk about Ashley every day in a positive way, remembering all the good things about her.”

Following her death, colleagues at Knowsley Council installed a memorial bench at Court Hey Park for the environmental health officer.

Her mother said: “I’m glad that we have a place to go and remember Ash, at her bench in Court Hey Park.

“I am forever grateful to Ashley’s colleagues at Knowsley Council for doing such a wonderful, thoughtful thing for Ash and us.”

Colleagues have also arranged for Huyton railway bridge and Greystone footbridge to be lit in pink, orange and green on Monday to mark the anniversary.

Miss Dale’s death was one of three fatal shootings in Liverpool within a week last year, with nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel shot in her home in Dovecot and Sam Rimmer, 22, fatally injured in Dingle.

Sean Zeisz, 27, Niall Barry, 26, James Witham, 41, and Joseph Peers, 28, have been charged with Miss Dale’s murder and are due to stand trial on October 2.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in