THE timeline of events following Ashleigh Hall’s disappearance is revealed in chilling detail on social networking sites.
Over the weekend, her Facebook and Bebo home pages were filled with excited teenage chatter as friends exchanged comments about clothes, music and TV shows.
But by Monday afternoon the tone had changed after it emerged that the 17-year-old was missing.
Ashleigh’s friends bombarded her Facebook page with frantic appeals for her to get in touch with her mother, who had spent the day desperately trying to reach her on her mobile phone. Several posters urge friends to call her mum if they know where she is.
Within 12 hours, the search was called off when police made the horrific discovery in a farmer’s field less than ten miles away. By the next morning Ashleigh’s mother Andrea and her three young sisters had been told the news.
Close friends were informed, and by 2pm comments began to appear on Ashleigh’s mum’s Facebook site.
The profile page, in which Andrea describes herself as a proud mum of “four gorgeous girls”, features a comment from one poster, who wrote: “Thinking of you and the kids. There are no words that can express how devastated you must be.”
Another added: “I am so, so, so sorry to hear the news Andrea. I am absolutely devastated for you and the kids.”
Scores of comments were added throughout the day, and at 6.39pm, after Ashleigh was officially identified by police, Andrea posted: “My beautiful daughter has been taken away from me.”
A memorial Facebook page has now been set up for people who wish to add their tributes to Ashleigh. The site features hundreds of comments from friends, family, and – due to the huge amount of national media attention – well-wishers from across the country.
One comment reads: “RIP.
Even though I never knew you, nobody deserves the pain of losing someone so young.”
A family friend adds: “I did know Ashleigh and she was a beautiful, kind, funny, young lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“She always had a smile on her face and her family are some of my best friends. I cannot imagine what they are feeling right now.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article