My cousin Ashley Simpson has been missing for 20 days now, and the B.C. RCMP have turned their files over to the major crimes division.
They have assured the family that they have made the change so they can tap into the greater resources of the homicide division, a 14-person team who will stay on the case until it's resolved. In the coming days, warrants will be sworn, and they will use DNA swabs to pursue persons of interest in the case. They will also be searching the 25 acres surrounding the place where Ashley was living in Salmon Arm.
"I have to admit, the update isn't rosy," her father John wrote me in an email. "We still hope she may be found alive, but they haven't found any sign of her."
The case has pitted people against each other. There is the camp that prefers to light candles, and look to the skies for inspiration. And there are others who are more pragmatic, who are hoping for the best, bracing for the worst.
I fall in the latter category, and I'm getting a lot of guff for it.
One of my previous blogs created so much outrage that I took them all down. I told John I felt that my blogs had become a distraction, and had taken the focus away from finding Ashley and put it in the land of Internet trolls. The family were horrified and asked me to put the blogs up again, but they are now in the ether, in a place where only web experts could find them.
For my part, I'm just happy that the initial blogs were able to reach more than 30,000 readers who today are more aware of the case.
A lot of people wrote scathing emails accusing me of offending Ashley's mother, Cindy, who wrote to me yesterday, saying she was grateful that I had taken up Ashley's cause.
"The ones who commented are friends from years ago and had no right to speak on our behalf," she said. "I guess they didn't notice your last name. LOL."
Now that's over with, and I have the blessing of the family, I will continue to post and those who don't like it can get stuffed.
Fact is, blue skyers, it's pretty evident that Ashley didn't find a true love who put her up in a swanky condo somewhere. She's missing. And if she's still alive, she's in peril. The sooner the cops find her, the better for Ashley and her family.
In the meantime, John and Cindy want everyone to know that they are grateful for all the love and support. John is heading up to Huntsville where he and Ashley go every summer to the "longhouse" where they've worked for seven years.
"We met hundreds of great people who fell in love with Ash. They will be deeply saddened if she doesn't come home."
His wish?
"We need to keep up the pressure on the government to end this dilemma of missing women."
And then he added, wistfully, "maybe mention, off the subject, that when I drove back to Ontario from B.C., I noticed much of the country's watering holes for livestock -- small ponds, creeks -- most have gone dry. It'll be a bad year if we don't get rain.
"Remember, only you can prevent forest fires."
John's a typical Simpson. He's a pragmatist, but he's always looking for a ray of light through the darkness.
They have assured the family that they have made the change so they can tap into the greater resources of the homicide division, a 14-person team who will stay on the case until it's resolved. In the coming days, warrants will be sworn, and they will use DNA swabs to pursue persons of interest in the case. They will also be searching the 25 acres surrounding the place where Ashley was living in Salmon Arm.
"I have to admit, the update isn't rosy," her father John wrote me in an email. "We still hope she may be found alive, but they haven't found any sign of her."
The case has pitted people against each other. There is the camp that prefers to light candles, and look to the skies for inspiration. And there are others who are more pragmatic, who are hoping for the best, bracing for the worst.
I fall in the latter category, and I'm getting a lot of guff for it.
One of my previous blogs created so much outrage that I took them all down. I told John I felt that my blogs had become a distraction, and had taken the focus away from finding Ashley and put it in the land of Internet trolls. The family were horrified and asked me to put the blogs up again, but they are now in the ether, in a place where only web experts could find them.
For my part, I'm just happy that the initial blogs were able to reach more than 30,000 readers who today are more aware of the case.
A lot of people wrote scathing emails accusing me of offending Ashley's mother, Cindy, who wrote to me yesterday, saying she was grateful that I had taken up Ashley's cause.
"The ones who commented are friends from years ago and had no right to speak on our behalf," she said. "I guess they didn't notice your last name. LOL."
Now that's over with, and I have the blessing of the family, I will continue to post and those who don't like it can get stuffed.
Fact is, blue skyers, it's pretty evident that Ashley didn't find a true love who put her up in a swanky condo somewhere. She's missing. And if she's still alive, she's in peril. The sooner the cops find her, the better for Ashley and her family.
In the meantime, John and Cindy want everyone to know that they are grateful for all the love and support. John is heading up to Huntsville where he and Ashley go every summer to the "longhouse" where they've worked for seven years.
"We met hundreds of great people who fell in love with Ash. They will be deeply saddened if she doesn't come home."
His wish?
"We need to keep up the pressure on the government to end this dilemma of missing women."
And then he added, wistfully, "maybe mention, off the subject, that when I drove back to Ontario from B.C., I noticed much of the country's watering holes for livestock -- small ponds, creeks -- most have gone dry. It'll be a bad year if we don't get rain.
"Remember, only you can prevent forest fires."
John's a typical Simpson. He's a pragmatist, but he's always looking for a ray of light through the darkness.
You are a blessing! Keep up the good work, we appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteYou are a blessing! Keep up the good work, we appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteanother wonderfull piece Rose I see that ur never at a loss for words or telling it as it is good for you
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you all. I did not know Ashley personally but have friends that were friends of hers. I have listened to them tell stories of how much love she has for her friends and family. I also see the pain that they are going through as the search continues. Again my prayers are with you all.
ReplyDelete