Ashley Bird’s life centered around her 9-year-old son, according to her family. She had separated from her husband, was about to sell their house, and was using her career as a social media influencer to provide the best life for her child.
But on Tuesday morning, it all came to an end, when a loud commotion somewhere in the background of Bird’s house pulled the 35-year-old mother away from a Zoom call. She never came back into the camera frame, Bird’s sister, Allison Saefong, told the Union-Tribune on Thursday.
The concerned co-worker who participated in the video meeting contacted Bird’s mother, who then called police around 10:25 a.m. to report an alleged break-in at her daughter’s home on La Presa Avenue, north of Jamacha Boulevard, in East County. , sheriff’s officials said.
Officers entered the home and found Bird lying on a couch suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the head, officials said. She died before she could be transported to hospital.
The investigation quickly led detectives to suspect that Chris Bird, 39, her ex-husband, had shot his wife before fleeing the scene, officials said. His description was sent to several law enforcement agencies in and around San Diego County.
The couple’s 9-year-old son was at school at the time of the shooting, according to Saefong. His father drove to pick the child up after the shooting and took him to another family member’s house near Camp Pendleton.
Deputies said Chris Bird was found dead later that day in his car at Calafia Beach Park in San Clemente.
Sheriff’s officials said they are not looking for any other suspects, although the investigation continues. His cause of death will be determined by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
Ashley Bird’s sister described her as a caring friend and loving mother who was locked in a verbally abusive relationship for years.
“She was probably one of the kindest, most caring souls anyone could imagine,” Saefong said. “She would meet someone once or twice and, even today, she would stay in touch with them.
“But he had very erratic emotional behavior,” Saefong said of her sister’s husband. “One minute he would be super nice, caring and sending her sweet messages. And then over the next few years, he would insult her and be very emotionally abusive.
Ashley’s sister said the alleged abuse never appeared to become physical and that her sister told her family she was not afraid for her life. The couple separated and were in the process of selling their home when Ashley was killed.
“I think he was very upset because he was hoping to reconcile their relationship, but – because of the emotional trauma he had caused her – it wasn’t something she wanted to do for her own good and for that of his son,” Saefong said. “She thought it was better for them to parent separately.
“None of us could have ever imagined that all of this would happen like this,” Saefong added. “We are devastated and trying to figure out how to deal with all of this.”
Among their many concerns at the moment, Saefong said the family is trying to figure out how to explain the situation to Ashley’s son.
“He was the reason she got up in the morning and vice versa – and, despite everything, he still loves his father too,” she said. “But how do you explain all this to a 9-year-old?
To help the family pay funeral costs and support Ashley’s son, a GoFundMe page Has been set up.
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