A mother who was found shot to death in her California home was murdered by her ex-husband while she was on a work call.
Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police officers with a gunshot wound to the head lying on the couch inside her home in La Presa, California.
Her ex-husband Christopher Bird, 39, was the main suspect in the case after the shocking discovery, and was later found dead inside his own vehicle.
The ordeal left her nine-year-old son without his parents and two families heartbroken.
According to Ashley’s sister Allison, her sister was in a Zoom meeting with a work colleague at the time.
Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police officers with a gunshot wound to the head lying on the couch inside her home in La Presa, California.
Her ex-husband Christopher Bird, seen here with Ashley, was the prime suspect in the case after the shocking discovery, and was later found dead inside his own vehicle.
Officers found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to the head. She died before they could take her to the hospital.
speaking to NBC San DiegoSaefong remembered his sister as kind, loving, and attentive.
She told the outlet: ‘She was just a beautiful soul inside and out, in every way imaginable. She would absolutely give anything for her son.
‘My sister worked from home. She was in a Zoom meeting. At that point, she thought someone was trying to break in and she left.
“She said, ‘Hey, give me a second.’ Someone is trying to break into my house.
When Ashley didn’t return, her co-worker decided to contact her mother and when the family couldn’t reach her, they contacted the sheriff’s office.
Saefong continued, “My mother called me just before 11 o’clock and was hysterical and said, ‘She’s gone.’ She’s gone.’ I shouted: ‘Who is she gone? Who is she gone?
‘She wasn’t giving me details. She said, ‘Ashley.’ Ashley is gone, I know. we knew [Christopher] It was volatile, but we never expected this.
Officers found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to the head; she died before they could take her to the hospital.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couple’s son was at school at the time of the shooting.
Ashley’s sister, Allison Saefong, remembered her sister as kind, loving and caring.
The ordeal left her nine-year-old son without his parents and two families heartbroken.
Since her passing, a GoFundMe has been set up to help Ashley’s family cover funeral costs, as well as funds to raise her son, and more than $19,000 has been raised.
According to Saefong, the couple was divorcing but his sister denied experiencing physical abuse.
She added: ‘We asked her, ‘Do you feel like he’s physically abusive?’ ‘No, absolutely not,’ she said. She said, ‘He would never physically hurt me.’ He’s fine.’
Days before the deaths, Christopher Bird had received court documents declaring spousal and child support.
Saefong said, “We think the divorce may have pushed him over the edge and then along with the custody battle that was also ending at the end.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couple’s son was at school at the time of the shooting.
After the incident, his father went to pick him up and took him to stay with another family member.
Deputies say they found Bird later that day dead in his car in the parking lot of Calafia Beach, San Clemente.
Since her passing, a GoFundMe has been set up to help Ashley’s family cover funeral costs, as well as funds to raise her son, and more than $19,000 has been raised.
In a post about the fundraiser, it said: “The loving family of Ashley Margaret Bird is raising funds for the cost of a funeral, as well as funds to raise her surviving child.
‘Ashley was taken from us too early in life and will be greatly missed by all of her friends and family.
‘She had a huge impact on everyone around her and was the kindest, kind hearted and generous soul.
‘We thank the Lord for the life he was able to live and all the lives he was able to touch in his short time on this earth.
‘She leaves behind her 9-year-old son, who was the love of her life, as well as her mother Patti, her father John, her brother Eric and her sister Allison.
‘Along with many other friends and family. Although this time is very difficult for those who knew and loved her, we are grateful for Jesus Christ and know that one day we will see her in heaven again.’