Hyundai i30 which was ‘driven in the area’ where murderer Ashley Dale, 28, was shot is tracked down

A Hyundai i30 which was ‘driven in the area’ where murdered council worker Ashley Dale, 28, was shot dead in a case of ‘mistaken identity’ has been tracked down by police. 

Merseyside Police confirmed today that a vehicle of interest in the murder investigation has now been recovered.

Ms Dale was found with a gunshot wound in the back garden of her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21.

A gunman burst into her home around 12.40am and fired multiple shots ‘indiscriminately’. 

At least one round hit Ms Dale in the abdomen. She was spotted slumped in her garden by a neighbour who alerted authorities. 

The force said in a statement today: ‘The vehicle, a grey Hyundai i30, had previously been circulated as part of detectives’ ongoing investigation into the murder of Ashley in Old Swan in August 2022. It has since been recovered and seized for forensic examinations.

Environmental health officer Ashely Dale, 28, pictured, was shot at her home in Old Swan, Liverpool on August 21

The force released CCTV footage of a car believed to have been driven in the area where Miss Dale was killed shortly before the shooting

‘Officers were called to an address in Leinster Road at around 12.40am on Sunday 21 August following reports of concern for a woman at the property. 

‘Emergency services attended and found Ashley in the rear garden with a gunshot wound to her body. 

‘Ashley was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.’

Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: ‘Although this vehicle has now been seized, we’re still keen to speak to anyone who saw its movements. 

‘We believe that the car had been driven in the areas of Dovecot and Page Moss during the evening of Ashley’s murder, including on Pilch Lane. 

‘Therefore, I want to continue to appeal to anyone who lives in these areas and may have any information about this car.

‘This might range from knowing who was driving, seeing someone being picked up, or capturing further images or footage on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices. 

‘Whether you hold information on this car or anything else to do with the tragic death of Ashley, come forward if you haven’t already. 

‘Please come forward with anything you know to help us bring those responsible before the courts and get justice for Ashley’s family.’

A gunman forced his way into the house and began firing indiscriminately. Detectives do not believe Ms Dale was the intended target

The 28-year-old was at home in Leinster Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, when a gunman burst through her door and fired multiple shots ‘indiscriminately’ at around 12.40am on August 21

Ms Dale’s family launched a new appeal for information on what would have been the civil servant’s 29th birthday

Last month Ms Dale’s family vowed to get justice for her on what would have been her 29th birthday.

The environmental health officer for Knowsley Council is not believed to have been the intended target of the killing, which was one of three fatal shootings in Liverpool within a week.

During Ms Dale’s funeral in September at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool, flags across the city were flown at half mast. 

Ms Dale was one of three shooting victims in Liverpool on the week she died. The other victims were 22-year-old mechanic Sam Rimmer and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. 

An inquest into the three deaths was adjourned on August 30 with the coroner calling for people with information in any of the crimes to come forward.  

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, her family issued a statement which said: ‘Ashley’s family would like to emphasise the devastating effects gun crime has had on our family.

‘On what would have been Ashley’s 29th birthday, her loss is beyond words, the family have been torn apart and life can never be ‘normal’ again.

‘Her birthday being so close to Christmas made this time of year so special, but without her Christmas is going to be unbearable.

‘Life has become a living nightmare for Ashley’s parents, siblings and family.

A gunman burst into her home around 12.40am on August 21, 2022 and fired multiple shots ‘indiscriminately’

‘Her loving, kind and articulate nature showed through with the number of friends she had. We couldn’t have been more proud of Ashley.

‘A huge hole has been left, life will never be the same again.

‘We miss you Ash with all our hearts, and vow that justice for “Our Ash” will be served.’

Fifteen arrests have been made in connection with Ms Dale’s murder and all of those people remain on conditional bail or under investigation, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said.

People can submit information to the force’s Public Portal. 

Anyone with any information can also contact the force via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.