A mother found shot to death in her California home was killed by her estranged husband while she was at work.
Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police officers with a gunshot wound to her head as she lay on the couch in her home in La Presa, California.
Her estranged husband Christopher Bird, 39, was the prime suspect in the case following the shocking discovery and was later found dead in his own car.
The ordeal left their nine-year-old son without both his parents and left two families heartbroken.
According to Ashley’s sister Allison, her sister was in a Zoom meeting with a colleague at the time
Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police officers with a gunshot wound to her head as she lay on the couch in her home in La Presa, California.
Her estranged husband Christopher Bird, seen here with Ashley, was the prime suspect in the case following the shocking discovery and was later found dead in his own car.
Officers found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to her head. She died before she could be taken to hospital
Speak with NBC San DiegoSaefong remembered her sister as kind, loving and caring.
She told the outlet, “She was just a beautiful soul inside and out, in every way imaginable. She would absolutely give anything and everything for her son.
“My sister, she 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, wait a minute. Someone’s 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, she contacted the sheriff’s office.
Saefong continued, “My mom called me just before 11 o’clock, and she was hysterical and said, ‘She’s gone. She is gone.’ I shouted, ‘Who’s gone? Who’s gone?’
‘She didn’t give me any details. She said, “Ashley. Ashley is gone, I just know it. We know [Christopher] was volatile, but we never expected this.’
Officers found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to her head. She died before she could be taken to hospital.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couple’s son was in school at the time of the shooting
Ashley’s sibling Allison Saefong remembered her sister as kind, loving and caring
The ordeal left their nine-year-old son without both his parents and left two families heartbroken
Since her death, a GoFundMe has been organized to help Ashley’s family cover funeral costs and money for her son’s education. More than $19,000 has been raised.
According to Saefong, the couple had gone through a divorce, but her sister denied physical abuse.
She added: “We asked her, ‘Do you feel like he’s physically abusive?’ ‘No, absolutely not,’ she would say. She would say, “He would never physically harm me. He’s fine.’
Days prior to the death, Christopher Bird had received court documents detailing spousal and child support payments.
Saefong said, “We think the divorce sent him over the edge and with it the custody battle that was ending.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couple’s son was in school at the time of the shooting.
After the incident, his father drove to pick him up and took him to another relative.
Officers say they found Bird dead in his car in the parking lot at Calafia Beach, San Clemente, later that day.
Since her death, a GoFundMe has been organized to help Ashley’s family cover funeral costs and money for her son’s education. More than $19,000 was raised.
A message accompanying the fundraiser said: ‘The loving family of Ashley Margaret Bird is raising money for funeral costs and the education of her surviving son.
“Ashley was taken from us too early in her life and she will be deeply missed by all her friends and family.
“She had such an impact on everyone around her and was the most kind, warm-hearted, generous soul.
‘We thank the Lord for the life she was able to lead and all the lives she was able to experience in her short time on this earth.
“She is survived by her 9-year-old son who was the love of her life, as well as her mother Patti, father John, brother Eric and sister Allison.
‘Along with many other friends and family members. Although this time has been very difficult for those who knew and loved her, we are thankful for Jesus Christ and know that one day we will see her again in heaven.”