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| Ashley Wadsworth murder: 'What were her last words - did she ask for us?' | Ashley Wadsworth murder: 'What were her last words - did she ask for us?' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Ashley Wadsworth died after police were called to reports of a disturbance in Chelmsford | Ashley Wadsworth died after police were called to reports of a disturbance in Chelmsford |
| For years, Jack Sepple and Ashley Wadsworth were modern-day pen pals who used the internet to bridge the 4,500-mile (7,242km) distance between them. But just months after 19-year-old Ashley decided to leave Canada to start a new life living with Sepple in the UK, he murdered her. What happened? | For years, Jack Sepple and Ashley Wadsworth were modern-day pen pals who used the internet to bridge the 4,500-mile (7,242km) distance between them. But just months after 19-year-old Ashley decided to leave Canada to start a new life living with Sepple in the UK, he murdered her. What happened? |
| "It is so traumatising to think of her last moments," says Ashley's mother Christy Gendron. "How scared she must have been, what her last words were, did she ask for us? | "It is so traumatising to think of her last moments," says Ashley's mother Christy Gendron. "How scared she must have been, what her last words were, did she ask for us? |
| "I'll never know. Two people know - one has gone and the other probably wouldn't tell the truth anyway." | "I'll never know. Two people know - one has gone and the other probably wouldn't tell the truth anyway." |
| Ashley, from Vernon in British Columbia, arrived in the UK to live with 23-year-old Sepple at his one-bedroom flat in Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, last November. | Ashley, from Vernon in British Columbia, arrived in the UK to live with 23-year-old Sepple at his one-bedroom flat in Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, last November. |
| On 1 February this year, police found Ashley had been both strangled and repeatedly stabbed in the chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Sepple was sitting in bed next to her body when he was found by police. | On 1 February this year, police found Ashley had been both strangled and repeatedly stabbed in the chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Sepple was sitting in bed next to her body when he was found by police. |
| After admitting Ashley's murder, Sepple has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 23 years and six months. | After admitting Ashley's murder, Sepple has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 23 years and six months. |
| 'There was no stopping her' | 'There was no stopping her' |
| Christy Gendron describes Ashley as a 'ball of energy' | Christy Gendron describes Ashley as a 'ball of energy' |
| Ashley was something of a human "Spitfire", according to her mother, Ms Gendron. | Ashley was something of a human "Spitfire", according to her mother, Ms Gendron. |
| "She was amazing," she says. " She was inquisitive, she was adventurous, into sports and was always outside. | "She was amazing," she says. " She was inquisitive, she was adventurous, into sports and was always outside. |
| "She was a ball of energy." | "She was a ball of energy." |
| As a young girl, Ashley loved horse riding, skiing and boating. | As a young girl, Ashley loved horse riding, skiing and boating. |
| Then, when she was about 12 years old, a friend in Vernon introduced her to an English boy online - Jack Sepple. | Then, when she was about 12 years old, a friend in Vernon introduced her to an English boy online - Jack Sepple. |
| For the next seven years Ashley and Sepple "were pen pals on Facebook", says Ms Gendron. | For the next seven years Ashley and Sepple "were pen pals on Facebook", says Ms Gendron. |
| "It wasn't a relationship," she says. "They'd be off and on and talk for a bit and then, as they got older, he would date and so they wouldn't [talk]." | "It wasn't a relationship," she says. "They'd be off and on and talk for a bit and then, as they got older, he would date and so they wouldn't [talk]." |
| Despite having never met him in person, Sepple's face was a regular part of the family's life in Vernon. Ashley and he would speak via FaceTime in the family living room. If Ms Gendron was passing, she would say hello to him. | Despite having never met him in person, Sepple's face was a regular part of the family's life in Vernon. Ashley and he would speak via FaceTime in the family living room. If Ms Gendron was passing, she would say hello to him. |
| Ashley became a Mormon at the age of 18 | Ashley became a Mormon at the age of 18 |
| Ashley became a Mormon at the age of 18 after having what she described to her mother as a "God moment". | Ashley became a Mormon at the age of 18 after having what she described to her mother as a "God moment". |
| Then, Ashley decided she wanted to move to the UK to be with Sepple. | Then, Ashley decided she wanted to move to the UK to be with Sepple. |
| Ms Gendron was worried about the idea. | Ms Gendron was worried about the idea. |
| "But there was no stopping her, she was a Leo. | "But there was no stopping her, she was a Leo. |
| "Every guy Ashley would meet was always compared to him, it was always back to Jack. | "Every guy Ashley would meet was always compared to him, it was always back to Jack. |
| "I thought the worst thing that will happen is she'll go, they won't work out and then she'll come home," she says. | "I thought the worst thing that will happen is she'll go, they won't work out and then she'll come home," she says. |
| "I didn't even, I mean, murder did not cross my mind." | "I didn't even, I mean, murder did not cross my mind." |
| Ashley had raised her growing concerns about Sepple's behaviour with her family and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chelmsford. A flight home to Canada was booked for 3 February. | Ashley had raised her growing concerns about Sepple's behaviour with her family and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chelmsford. A flight home to Canada was booked for 3 February. |
| But two days before she was due to leave the UK, Sepple stabbed her to death. | But two days before she was due to leave the UK, Sepple stabbed her to death. |
| 'Ashley's dead, Jack's murdered her' | 'Ashley's dead, Jack's murdered her' |
| Ken Wadsworth travelled to the UK to collect his daughter's body | Ken Wadsworth travelled to the UK to collect his daughter's body |
| "I woke up in the morning of 1 February," says Ken Wadsworth, Ashley's father, "and my daughter Hailey was on the phone saying, 'my sister is dead - Ashley's dead, Ashley's dead, Jack's murdered her'." | "I woke up in the morning of 1 February," says Ken Wadsworth, Ashley's father, "and my daughter Hailey was on the phone saying, 'my sister is dead - Ashley's dead, Ashley's dead, Jack's murdered her'." |
| He then remembers ending the call with Hailey and calling the police in Canada, saying he feared his daughter was in England and might be dead. | He then remembers ending the call with Hailey and calling the police in Canada, saying he feared his daughter was in England and might be dead. |
| Man arrested on suspicion of murder of woman | Man arrested on suspicion of murder of woman |
| Vigil held for woman found dead at house | Vigil held for woman found dead at house |
| Man admits murdering Canadian girlfriend | Man admits murdering Canadian girlfriend |
| A short while later, Mr Wadsworth was called by an officer from Essex Police. | A short while later, Mr Wadsworth was called by an officer from Essex Police. |
| He learned his daughter, a girl he remembers as "a wild, crazy little kid who wanted to do anything and everything", was dead. | He learned his daughter, a girl he remembers as "a wild, crazy little kid who wanted to do anything and everything", was dead. |
| Mr Wadsworth describes being called by Ashley's older sister Hailey (left) telling him Jack had murdered her | Mr Wadsworth describes being called by Ashley's older sister Hailey (left) telling him Jack had murdered her |
| "Your heart breaks," he says. "I went to the doctor and said 'I'm having all these chest pains, they don't go away' and he said that was heartache. | "Your heart breaks," he says. "I went to the doctor and said 'I'm having all these chest pains, they don't go away' and he said that was heartache. |
| "It is really tough - that's your baby girl and she's gone. There aren't words to describe that sorrow. | "It is really tough - that's your baby girl and she's gone. There aren't words to describe that sorrow. |
| "She was a bubblegum candy kid and definitely not afraid to say what she felt. | "She was a bubblegum candy kid and definitely not afraid to say what she felt. |
| "She was amazing and full of love," he says. "We gave her freedom and she used it." | "She was amazing and full of love," he says. "We gave her freedom and she used it." |
| Ken travelled to the UK with his wife Charmaine to handle the paperwork and collect Ashley's body. | Ken travelled to the UK with his wife Charmaine to handle the paperwork and collect Ashley's body. |
| "It was the worst moment ever for me," he says. | "It was the worst moment ever for me," he says. |
| 'We had no idea of his history' | 'We had no idea of his history' |
| Ashley told her neighbour she feared Sepple was going to kill her | Ashley told her neighbour she feared Sepple was going to kill her |
| Sepple, who moved into Tennyson Road with a previous partner in April 2020, murdered Ashley because he was angry that she wanted to return home to Canada. | Sepple, who moved into Tennyson Road with a previous partner in April 2020, murdered Ashley because he was angry that she wanted to return home to Canada. |
| At about 08:00 GMT on 1 February, a neighbour heard Ashley screaming before the 19-year-old knocked on her door in distress. | At about 08:00 GMT on 1 February, a neighbour heard Ashley screaming before the 19-year-old knocked on her door in distress. |
| Ashley told her she had been beaten up by Sepple and the kitten they shared - Winston - had been thrown against a wall. | Ashley told her she had been beaten up by Sepple and the kitten they shared - Winston - had been thrown against a wall. |
| The teenager explained how Sepple had caught her looking at a picture of a naked woman and had smashed her telephone, called her lesbian and then assaulted her. | The teenager explained how Sepple had caught her looking at a picture of a naked woman and had smashed her telephone, called her lesbian and then assaulted her. |
| Ashley told the neighbour she feared Sepple was going to kill her. | Ashley told the neighbour she feared Sepple was going to kill her. |
| She went to speak with Sepple and found him to be calm, before returning with Ashley. Sepple apologised to Ashley before the neighbour left for an appointment. | She went to speak with Sepple and found him to be calm, before returning with Ashley. Sepple apologised to Ashley before the neighbour left for an appointment. |
| At about midday, Ashley sent a number of messages to her friends at the Mormon Church in Chelmsford. She said it was an emergency and she needed help. | At about midday, Ashley sent a number of messages to her friends at the Mormon Church in Chelmsford. She said it was an emergency and she needed help. |
| A couple of hours later, further messages - written by Sepple - were sent, claiming everything was now OK. | A couple of hours later, further messages - written by Sepple - were sent, claiming everything was now OK. |
| After strangling and stabbing Ashley to death, he left her dead body in the bed they shared and FaceTimed his sister Nadia | After strangling and stabbing Ashley to death, he left her dead body in the bed they shared and FaceTimed his sister Nadia |
| Concerned, Ashley's church friends Jamie Ashworth and Taeylr Borden visited the Tennyson Road property. When there was no answer, they called the police. | Concerned, Ashley's church friends Jamie Ashworth and Taeylr Borden visited the Tennyson Road property. When there was no answer, they called the police. |
| After strangling and stabbing Ashley to death, he left her dead body in the bed they shared and FaceTimed his sister Nadia. | After strangling and stabbing Ashley to death, he left her dead body in the bed they shared and FaceTimed his sister Nadia. |
| He was on that call when police broke into his home at 16:00 GMT. | He was on that call when police broke into his home at 16:00 GMT. |
| Sepple has a long history of offences for online harassment, assault and breaching restraining orders dating back to 2014. | Sepple has a long history of offences for online harassment, assault and breaching restraining orders dating back to 2014. |
| Before murdering Ashley, he was charged with a number of offences relating to a previous partner. | Before murdering Ashley, he was charged with a number of offences relating to a previous partner. |
| The allegations included false imprisonment, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. | The allegations included false imprisonment, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour. |
| BBC Action Line: Find organisations offering information and support with domestic violence or call for free at any time to hear recorded information on 0800 888 809 or visit the BBC Action Line website | BBC Action Line: Find organisations offering information and support with domestic violence or call for free at any time to hear recorded information on 0800 888 809 or visit the BBC Action Line website |
| But when the victim did not attend the trial, the prosecution offered no evidence and Sepple was made subject of a non-conviction restraining order. | But when the victim did not attend the trial, the prosecution offered no evidence and Sepple was made subject of a non-conviction restraining order. |
| "We had no idea of his history," says Mr Wadsworth. "I feel like... I sent her to the wolves." | "We had no idea of his history," says Mr Wadsworth. "I feel like... I sent her to the wolves." |
| Both Mr Wadsworth and Ms Gendron want others to learn from Ashley's story. | Both Mr Wadsworth and Ms Gendron want others to learn from Ashley's story. |
| "If something doesn't feel right, act. Don't listen to them saying 'it is OK now, we're better'," says Ms Gendron. | "If something doesn't feel right, act. Don't listen to them saying 'it is OK now, we're better'," says Ms Gendron. |
| "If you know in your gut that your sister, your friend, your aunt, your mum or your daughter is in a situation or a relationship like that, then definitively call the police and intervene, step in." | "If you know in your gut that your sister, your friend, your aunt, your mum or your daughter is in a situation or a relationship like that, then definitively call the police and intervene, step in." |
| "Ladies, guys, look at the person before you date them," Mr Wadsworth says. "Use your wits and be aware." | "Ladies, guys, look at the person before you date them," Mr Wadsworth says. "Use your wits and be aware." |
| The BBC asked Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust whether it had reviewed its contact with Sepple in light of the murder case. | The BBC asked Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust whether it had reviewed its contact with Sepple in light of the murder case. |
| Paul Scott, the trust's chief executive, said: "Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this tragic incident. | Paul Scott, the trust's chief executive, said: "Our thoughts remain with the families affected by this tragic incident. |
| "We are committed to continually learning and improving to provide the best possible care for those who rely on us." | "We are committed to continually learning and improving to provide the best possible care for those who rely on us." |
| 'She was part of us' | 'She was part of us' |
| In a message read out at the vigil, Ashley Wadsworth's sister said she was "so happy we were so close and grew up together" | In a message read out at the vigil, Ashley Wadsworth's sister said she was "so happy we were so close and grew up together" |
| Ashley adored her older sister Hailey and Hailey's daughter Paisley. | Ashley adored her older sister Hailey and Hailey's daughter Paisley. |
| "There were her number one and her number two," says Ms Gendron. | "There were her number one and her number two," says Ms Gendron. |
| "Ashley was the backbone of the four of us," says Ms Gendron. "She was the strongest I'd say - the most courageous and had the most energy. | "Ashley was the backbone of the four of us," says Ms Gendron. "She was the strongest I'd say - the most courageous and had the most energy. |
| "She would keep us together, going out together and doing stuff and losing her is like losing an arm or a leg. She was part of us." | "She would keep us together, going out together and doing stuff and losing her is like losing an arm or a leg. She was part of us." |
| Ms Gendron no longer remembers the telephone call in which she learned of Ashley's death. | Ms Gendron no longer remembers the telephone call in which she learned of Ashley's death. |
| She does, however, remember her knees giving way and collapsing to the floor while holding the telephone. | She does, however, remember her knees giving way and collapsing to the floor while holding the telephone. |
| "I couldn't go there and in my head I was thinking they could be wrong," she says. | "I couldn't go there and in my head I was thinking they could be wrong," she says. |
| Ms Gendron no longer remembers the telephone call in which she learned of Ashley's death | Ms Gendron no longer remembers the telephone call in which she learned of Ashley's death |
| She now believes the state of shock she experienced in the days after Ashley's murder helped insulate her from the horror of what had happened. | She now believes the state of shock she experienced in the days after Ashley's murder helped insulate her from the horror of what had happened. |
| She describes being in a permanently restless state in the days and weeks following Ashley's death and the utter heartbreak of picking out clothing for Ashley to wear for her funeral. | She describes being in a permanently restless state in the days and weeks following Ashley's death and the utter heartbreak of picking out clothing for Ashley to wear for her funeral. |
| Ms Gendron and Mr Wadsworth travelled to the UK to see Sepple sentenced before journeying around the UK to follow in Ashley's footsteps. | Ms Gendron and Mr Wadsworth travelled to the UK to see Sepple sentenced before journeying around the UK to follow in Ashley's footsteps. |
| "Great, he's going to get time - but in the UK, like Canada, life is only 25 years," says Ms Gendron. | "Great, he's going to get time - but in the UK, like Canada, life is only 25 years," says Ms Gendron. |
| "Ultimately, it won't bring her back." | "Ultimately, it won't bring her back." |
| Ms Gendron told how she and and Hailey pore over the multitude of lively and humorous videos Ashley made. | Ms Gendron told how she and and Hailey pore over the multitude of lively and humorous videos Ashley made. |
| "We laugh a lot and we cry a lot," she says. "But it is not easy, because those are memories. | "We laugh a lot and we cry a lot," she says. "But it is not easy, because those are memories. |
| "We will cherish them, but that is all we have." | "We will cherish them, but that is all we have." |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | |
| Chelmsford | |
| Essex Police | |
| British Columbia | |
| Canada |