Ashley Dale will be laid to rest in a service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Tuesday (September 20).
Miss Dale, 28, died after a gunman forced open the front door of her house in Leinster Road, Old Swan, in the early hours of Sunday, August 21, and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately". Merseyside Police attended after being called by concerned neighbours who heard shots fired and saw a woman lying on the ground in the property's back yard.
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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Her funeral will take place at the Anglican Cathedral, beginning at midday. It will be followed by a private cremation.
It has been organised by Desmond L. Bannon & Sons Family Funeral Directors, who wrote in a note: "It is with great sadness that the family of the late Ashley Dale have asked us to announce her passing.
"Please feel free to share. Ashley is going to be sadly missed and remembered by all her family and friends. The funeral service is to take place on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at The Anglican Cathedral.
"Family have requested family flowers only please, donations if desired to O.L.L.Y Children’s Charity."
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.
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