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Ashley Simpson: A Sister's Grief

 



As the news of the discovery of Ashley Simpson's remains and the arrest of her boyfriend for murder was exploding all over the news, Amanda Langlois was quietly trying to figure out how to explain to her children that their aunt wasn't coming home.

"I'm having a very difficult time with this," she wrote in an email. "I feel sad, heartbroken and defeated. I'm stuck here trying to build up the courage to tell my daughters about this horrendous outcome."

Ashley has three sisters, Amy, Amanda and Tara who have been through living hell since Ashley disappeared five years and eight months ago. So have Ashley's nieces and nephews especially Amanda's oldest daughter who is described by the family as Ashley's "mini-me".

After Ashley's disappearance, Amanda's daughter withdrew into herself and became quiet, and somber. She didn't smile for months.

The discovery of Ashley's remains, while welcomed by the family, has opened fresh wounds in everyone who knew and loved the 32-year-old. It was hard enough coming together to hold a vigil for Ashley to mark the fifth anniversary of her disappearance last May; now the sadness and anxiety is compounded by the thought of a lengthy trial in British Columbia.

John Simpson has vowed to be there, even though he will have to drop everything and travel across the country. Friends have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with the expenses. It's only money, as far as John is concerned, but the family continues to face financial hardship, including trying to find a way to give Ashley a send off after her body is returned to her family.

What hurts Amanda the most is the fact that she tried to believe Ashley's boyfriend when he told her he had nothing to do with her disappearance.

"I can't even believe he looked me right in the face, told me he loved my sister, and said he would never hurt her. I feel ashamed that I almost believed him after four years. I feel furious that he let us go on this long. I hope he burns in hell.

She is grateful to the RCMP for finding her sister in a wilderness beyond her home in Salmon Arm but it's cold comfort when all she wants is her sister back. 

"I'm a bit relieved that we will finally have her home, but I'm in so much pain that she's coming home in a casket."

Please contribute to the effort to help the family. The link to the Go Fund Me Page is here. 




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