Ashley Dale: Two suspects released on conditional bail - all we know about the Old Swan murder investigation

At around 12.40am on Sunday, August 21, Ashely Dale was found in the back garden of her home on Leinster Road, Old Swan, with a fatal gunshot wound

The Knowsley Council worker, 28, was taken to hospital but died shortly after.

At the moment, Merseyside Police do not believe Ms Dale was the intended target and extensive murder investigation is under way.

What do we know so far?

On Wednesday evening, Merseyside Police arrested two individuals from Liverpool in connection with the murder - the man on suspicion of murder and the woman being held on suspicion of assisting an offender.

According to Merseyside Police, both were conditionally bailed on Tuesday pending further enquiries..

What have Merseyside Police said?

The police released CCTV, showing a car arriving on the road, just ten minutes before the shooting took place.

Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said: “We are grateful for all the information given to the investigation team so far and would ask that people continue to come forward. Something you may think is insignificant could prove vital, so let us assess every piece of information and take the appropriate action. “Our thoughts remain with Ashley’s family in this awful time, and I’d ask anyone who knows what happened to do the right thing and support us and Ashley’s family in seeking justice.”

Detective Chief Inspector Cummings continues: “From extensive ongoing CCTV enquiries, detectives know there were people walking close to the scene at the time of the offence. If this was you, please come forward as you may without realising hold vital information to assist this investigation.

“Similarly, I would ask taxi and delivery drivers if they were driving in the area between 12:20 and 12:40 and have dashcam footage please contact us.

“This was a callous attack carried out on a residential street which has brought tragedy to the heart of a community in Merseyside, and we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice.”

Tributes to Ashley Dale

Tragically, this is not the first time Ashley’s family have had to deal with the consequences of gun crime.

In 2015, Ms Dale’s half-brother, Lewis Dunne, was fatally shot in a case of mistaken identity. Merseyside Police do not believe the incidents to be connected.

Her family said: “Our hearts are broken into a million pieces.

“Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her. Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.

“We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought.”

How have the people of Liverpool reacted?

The people of Liverpool have paid tribute to Ashley, as the city has reeled over three fatal shootings of innocent people last week.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel, 9, and Sam Rimmer, 22, were also tragically killed in Liverpool, and murder investigations are under way.

One of Ms Dale’s colleagues said: “Heartbreaking news, such a lovely person to work with and such a bubbly girl who always had a smile for everyone. R.I.P ASHLEY hope they bring this scum to justice.”

Locals are calling for harsher sentences for gun crime and an end to ‘anti-grass’ culture.

How to contact the police

Merseyside Police urge anyone with information about Ashley’s murder to come forward.

Information and video footage can shared directly with the investigation team via the police public portal - Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).

You can also contact the police via social media @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.