The family of a woman who was the shot dead in Liverpool have paid tribute to their “shining light”.

Ashley Dale, 28, was found with gunshot wounds in her garden in the Old Swan area of Liverpool on Sunday.

She was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

“Ashley, our girl – our shining light. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces,” her family said.

“Ashley was a hard-working young woman who had her entire life ahead of her.”

The Knowsley Council worker’s family condemned the killing as a “senseless crime” as officers made house-to-house inquiries.

“She had just been promoted at her job with Knowsley Council. She had a degree and so many plans for her bright future that had only just begun,” the family added.

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“Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.

“We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home.

“None of this makes sense, and our lives will never be the same again.

“A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought.”

Merseyside Police were called just after 12.40am on Sunday to a house in Leinster Road and found a woman with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen described it as a “shocking incident which has led to the death of a young woman”.

He added that police are seeking anyone with information, private CCTV or a video doorbell to check footage which may help police.

“We are particularly keen to find anyone who saw a vehicle being driven erratically in the area around Prescot Road,” he added.

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting log 0030 of 21 August.

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