The close friend of a woman who was allegedly murdered by a man she met on dating app Bumble has revealed her family is devastated after the young teacher’s accused killer was found dead in his cell.
Ashley Gaddie, 35, was found unconscious in her cell at Clarence Correctional Centre, located on the far north coast of New South Wales, on Saturday afternoon.
He was accused of killing Sydney schoolteacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones at her friend’s home in Cranebrook, in Sydney’s west end, on December 18, 2022. She was found with serious head injuries.
Gaddie was in the jail common area yesterday afternoon before prison officials found him dead in his cell, from what is believed to have been self-harm.
Sydney schoolteacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones (pictured) was allegedly murdered by Ashley Gaddie at a house in Cranebrook, in Sydney’s west end, in December 2022.
Jamie-Lee O’Connor, a close friend of Finlay-Jones, uploaded a heartbreaking post to Facebook on Sunday in memory of the 31-year-old woman.
“I refuse to allow my news feed to be swamped by someone who doesn’t deserve to be remembered,” Lee wrote.
‘She will always matter, she will continue to make a difference. Her face deserves to be alone.’
Ms O’Connor expressed anger that Gaddie will never face justice.
‘It’s not great news, Dani’s family is suffering. He was about to plead guilty. We wanted the statement first and then him. [Gaddie] “I could have done this,” he wrote.
Ms O’Connor declined to comment on Gaddie’s death when contacted by WhatsNew2Day Australia.
Gaddie, 35 (pictured), was found unconscious in his cell by prison officers at Clarence Correctional Center on the New South Wales north coast on Saturday afternoon.
A close friend of Finlay-Jones (pictured) took to Facebook on Sunday and uploaded a heartbreaking post remembering the 31-year-old.
Several social media users commented on Ms O’Connor’s post.
‘Beautiful soul. “She has made a difference and will continue to do so through those who love her,” said one user.
‘She is still important to many of us. “She touched everyone she knew,” another user wrote.
Gaddie, a former trader, and Ms Finlay-Jones met on an online dating app, believed to be Bumble in December 2022.
The couple who had already had two dates, He went to a pub in Marsden Park, western Sydney, on December 17 so Finlay Jones could introduce Gaddie to his friends.
The couple left the scene before midnight to stay with a friend of Finlay-Jones at her home in Cranebrook.
Gaddie allegedly killed Finlay-Jones in a spare room at the property and police claim one of the residents was woken up at 3am by what they described as “loud, violent sex” between the pair.
At 2:30 pm the next day, Finlay-Jones’s friends realized it was strange that they had not heard from the new couple since the night before.
One of her friends allegedly found Ms Finlay-Jones’ lifeless body, lying face up on the bedroom floor and having suffered serious head injuries.
Police alleged she was killed during or after the “loud, violent sex” heard by the witness.
Finlay-Jones (pictured) met Gaddie on a social media app, believed to be Bumble, in December 2022 before introducing his new partner to friends at a Marsden Park pub the night before their presumed death.
Gaddie fled the property by punching a hole in the window screen, but was captured by police three days later in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Serco, who are the operators of Clarence Correctional Centre, confirmed in a statement that Gaddie had died.
“A 35-year-old man died at Clarence Correctional Center on Saturday, April 6, 2024,” a spokesperson said.
“Staff found the man unconscious in his room and he was pronounced deceased at 4:04 p.m.
Serco, Correctional Services and NSW Police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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