Family and friends of Ashley Dale gathered for the funeral of the 28-year-old 'rising star', who was murdered by a gunman in her Liverpool home in August.
Mourners watched in silence as Ashley's white coffin was carried into Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for her funeral today. Her family requested that funeral donations were made to O.L.L.Y Children's Charity, which supports children who have lost a loved one.
The coffin was surrounded by white flowers, which spelled out 'daughter' and 'our Ash' as it arrived at the cathedral in a black hearse. A symphonic orchestral version of Don't You Worry Child was played out as the service came to an end, Liverpool Echo reports.
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Ashley died after a gunman forced open the front door to her house in Old Swan in the early hours of Sunday, August 21, and fired multiple shots indiscriminately. She was pronounced dead at the scene after concerned neighbours heard the shots fired and called the police.
A huge turnout gathered to remember Miss Dale, who was described as a "rising star" at Knowsley Council, where she worked as an Environmental Health Officer. Flowers were left on her desk by colleagues after her death.
The funeral will be followed by a private cremation.
Speaking before the service, Reverend Canon Juliet Stevenson said: "Today what the family really wanted to focus on is a celebration of Ashley's life. She was a vibrant beautiful young woman. She was going far in her chosen career in environmental health with Knowsley council.
"Her family are family obviously devastated. They've lost their shining light as they've told us on several occasions. Today is really about bringing her family together. Just to try and hold onto that hope and love that they really need to hang onto at this time."
Merseyside Police say they do not believe the 28-year-old was the intended target, but believe her address was targeted for reasons detectives are working to establish. As a part of ongoing enquiries, four men were arrested in Cumbria and Merseyside.
A 27-year-old man from Roby was arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm;
A 40-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm;
A 35-year-old man from Old Swan was arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm; and
A 57-year-old man from Croxteth was 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.
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