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Showing posts from November, 2017

Ashley Simpson's Father of Invention

Embed from Getty Images Sometimes you have to make lemonade with rotten lemons. That's what my cousin John Simpson has done. He has turned a terrible tragedy -- the presumed murder of his daughter Ashley Simpson -- into his own private mission to help rural and remote communities find their missing daughters and sisters. In the last year, John has not so quietly begun to raise money to buy drones which can hover over farms, waters and forested areas, places that are not safe for humans to tread. He got the idea when he returned to Salmon Arm, where Ashley went missing 19 months ago after a fight with her boyfriend. She is among a growing number of women who have disappeared in the area in the last two years. It's been difficult for John to keep going. He's a man who has always worked with his hands, as a cook in logging camps, on ships, and in resorts. He's a man of a certain age, still strong. But since Ashley disappeared he is slightly bent and broken.

Ashley Simpson: Ashley's Army

Thirty-four years ago, this little nugget came into the world to spread joy, and her infectious smile, to everyone she encountered.  Her parents called her Ashley Marie. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds. Her mouth hinted at a smile that would melt a thousand hearts.  Nineteen months ago, someone stole this child from Cindy and John Simpson.  We want her back. Someone, somewhere, knows something. It's time to come clean, or make a mistake.  We are watching. We are Ashley's Army, and our reach is far and wide.  If you killed her, we will find you, and you will be brought to justice.  If you have her, we want her back.  We will never give up. The hills have eyes. The lakes have ears.  Her bones will rise. People will talk.  Lest you forget.  Ashley's Army is watching you.