A California mother was tragically shot and killed by her estranged husband while on a video work call. The suspect, Christopher Bird, 39, was later found dead in his vehicle after allegedly shooting his estranged wife, Ashley Bird, 35.
San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a break-in in Spring Valley on April 16 at around 10:24 a.m. When they entered the residence, they found Ashley, a mother of a 9-year-old son, with “head trauma.” Despite deputies’ efforts to administer life-saving measures, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ashley Bird was on a Zoom work call when the incident occurred. Her younger sister, Allison Saefong, told NBC 7 that Ashley had told her coworkers, “Hey, give me a second. Somebody is trying to break into my house.” She left the Zoom call but never returned, prompting one of her coworkers to contact Ashley’s mother, who then alerted the police.
“My mom called me just before 11 o’clock, and she was hysterical, saying, ‘She’s gone. She’s gone,’” Saefong said, recalling the emotional moment. “I shouted, ‘Who’s gone? Who’s gone?’ She wasn’t giving me details. She said, ‘Ashley. Ashley’s gone, I just know it.’”
Authorities said Orange County Sheriff’s deputies later found Christopher Bird deceased inside his vehicle at Calafia Beach Park in San Clemente. The cause and manner of his death will be determined by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
The police press release stated that investigators are not seeking any other suspects in connection with the case. “The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is investigating and gathering more evidence,” it said. “At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the crime are still under investigation. There are no outstanding suspects and no apparent danger to the community.”
Allison Saefong noted that Ashley and her husband were in the process of getting a divorce. “We think the divorce may have sent him over the edge,” she told NBC 7, adding that there was also a custody battle nearing its conclusion.
A GoFundMe page created in Ashley’s memory described her as a “warm-hearted, generous soul.” The page stated, “We thank the Lord for the life she was able to live and all the lives she was able to touch in her short time on this earth.” The fundraiser aims to support her family during this difficult time.
