SPRING VALLEY, CA – In a heartbreaking turn of events, a California mother was tragically murdered by her estranged husband while on a work video call. The incident marked an abrupt end to the life of 35-year-old Ashley Bird, leaving her 9-year-old son motherless.
Deputies were alerted to a break-in at a residence in Spring Valley around 10:24 am on April 16th. Upon entering the house, they discovered Ashley with severe head trauma. Emergency life-saving interventions were implemented, but Ashley unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her estranged husband, Christopher Bird, 39, was later found dead in his vehicle at Calafia Beach Park in San Clemente. The nature and cause of Christopher’s death are yet to be established by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
Allison Saefong, Ashley’s younger sister, noted that her sister was on a Zoom call when she heard someone attempting to break into her house. Ashley excused herself from the call, but never returned.
Concerned when she did not return, a colleague contacted Ashley’s mother, who then alerted the authorities.
The initial investigation phase suggests the estranged couple was in the process of divorce proceedings. Ashley’s sister believes the divorce and an ensuing custody battle might have driven Christopher over the edge.
Investigators are not currently seeking other persons of interest in this case.