‘Best Christmas present’: Family of homicide victim pleased remains found & charge laid

Dec 6, 2021 | 3:02 PM

SALMON ARM, B.C. — More than five years after she disappeared, charges have been laid in the death of a Shuswap woman.

Ashley Marie Simpson was reported missing to Vernon North Okanagan RCMP in April 2016, after she had not been seen or heard from for several days. The 32-year-old was last seen on April 27, 2016 in Vernon.

“Ashley’s typical communication with family and friends had ceased unexpectedly and without explanation, leading loved ones and investigators to immediately suspect her disappearance may have been a result of something criminal,” said a news release from Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of BC RCMP Communication Services.

RCMP say her remains were located on November 26, 2021 in a wilderness area outside of Salmon Arm.

On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 the BC Prosecution Service approved one charge of second degree murder against 39-year-old Derek Favell, Ashley’s boyfriend at the time of her disappearance.

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“Early on, the Southeast District Major Crime Unit was called to take conduct of the investigation into Ashley’s disappearance. This team worked diligently for almost five years on the case, identifying Favell as a primary suspect,” said C/Supt. Elija Rain, who heads up the BC RCMP Major Crime Unit.

In October 2020, the BC Unsolved Homicide Unit (UHU) assessed the findings to date and assumed conduct of Ashley’s case. UHU is a dedicated, standalone investigative team within the BC RCMP Major Crime Section, that assists RCMP detachments and municipal police departments with investigations into unsolved homicides and missing person’s cases where criminality is suspected.

“We know nothing can bring Ashley back,” stated C/Supt. Rain. “Now, as we prepare to continue to support Ashley’s family through the court process, we hope that the announcement today will bring them some sense of peace.”

Favell appeared remotely before a justice of the peace Dec. 4 and was remanded to appear in Kamloops Provincial Court on Dec. 9.

A statement from Ashley Simpson’s family said they were “very ecstatic” when they found out about the person being charged.

“A wave of relief and easiness came over us knowing that finally she is coming home. It was the most important thing for us that we could bring her home. The circumstances matter, but it matters most that she is brought home.”

The family says the development brings them closure, calling it “the best Christmas present we could have ever got.”

“Relief, something we’ve wished for, for almost six years. Thank you, Christmas came early. We are extremely grateful for all of the hard work done on Ashley’s case.”

The family will be holding a service for Ashley which will be announced on social media and in the local papers.

“Ashley shined. She shined and she made the people around her shine. Children, everywhere loved her. People would meet her once and remember her. They could remember details of her conversation after one meeting. She loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews,” said the statement.

“We miss her presence, having her around, the joys and the smiles she brings, as well as the smiles she brings other people. She loved to travel. We think she was going to go further, but always came home.

“We want people that knew her to remember how she made them feel loved. She made them feel special. She was a caring soul. People will remember her for the love and the caring she showed everybody, family, friends and strangers,” the statement said.

Mel Arnold, Member of Parliament for North Okanagan-Shuswap, said the news that RCMP have located the remains of Ashley Simpson, and indications that she was murdered, are heartbreaking.

“My thoughts are with Ashley’s family and friends who demonstrated great love for her these past five and a half years as they searched for her and preserved hope for her safe return. Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, I join my fellow Parliamentarians in resolving to do more to fight violence against women. As our communities mourn the loss of Ashley Simpson, we also remember Traci Genereaux whose life was stolen in 2017 and Caitlin Potts, Deanna Wertz and Nicole Bell who were taken from our region and remain missing,” Arnold said.

Background:
Link to RCMP news release issued May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016
Link to RCMP news release issued April 2019
Link to RCMP news release issued June 2019

by Pete McIntyre

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