News
Family of Wigan taxi boss and wife killed in US murder-suicide probe release update
Police say investigations continue
A fundraiser has been set up to help a young family return to Greater Manchester after losing both parents, in what US police are treating as a suspected murder-suicide investigation.
Officers from the Riverside County Sheriff Office were called to an address in Lyon Street, Rancho Mirage, in California on Sunday afternoon (November 12th) to find Carl and Kathryn Ashcroft with gunshot wounds.
Mr Ashcroft, 61, who owned Pemberton Taxis in Wigan, died at the scene while his wife Mrs Ashcroft, 55, was rushed to hospital, where she died of her injuries shortly afterwards.
Sergeant Mike Kelleher said deputies responded to a report of an ‘attempted suicide’ at a property on Lyon Road, Rancho Mirage, at about 14:15 PST.
“There are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community,” he added.
The sheriff’s department said they believe Mr Ashcroft shot his wife then himself and that they were not looking for any other suspects, though investigations continue.
The Ashcrofts met in Florida and were together for 35 years but were believed to be experiencing issues in their marriage. Mr Ashcroft was from Wigan and Mrs Ashcroft from the States. They previously lived in the Wigan area before relocating to the US.
The shocking incident has left a wake of devastation as a young family comes to terms with the loss of their parents and grandparents.
Family friend Katie Burns has set up a Go Fund Me page on behalf of the grieving family members, with their permission.
Ms Burns writes: “Through this page we want to support Fallon, Ben and their 3 month old baby Micah, 11 year old Daughter Nevaeh and 9 year old daughter Kyah who utterly adored by both Kathy and Carl.”
The money will be used to help the family move to Wigan to be near family, while the Ashcroft’s daughter Fallon is currently on maternity leave and ‘facing extensive responsibilities that are adding additional stress and pressure onto the family. These include paying to release both of her parents bodies and the cremation’.
The family can not stay in their home after what happened there and wish to put all of the belongings into storage by hiring a removal company to do this – to avoid any distress with entering the home again.
In a caption on the fundraising page, Ms Burns writes: “On behalf of my Dear friend Fallon, who is in need of support through the most unimaginable pain ever, I would like to share the following.
“Carl Ashcroft had flown out to Palm Springs California on November 9th to visit his daughter and grandchildren and planned to stay over Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“He was staying with his daughter and son in law and planned to work on his suffering marriage to Kathy. Kathy was not staying at the home upon Carl’s arrival.
“Fallon remained close by in the kitchen with her son. Moments after stepping outside Fallon heard concerning noise expecting an argument when two shots were fired. Fallon saw her parents and fell into complete shock.”
Ms Burns adds: “My friend needs to return to the UK as soon as is possible but until the above is done she is in limbo and this is affecting her every day. No one ever expects to lose both parents on the same day, in the house your family live in, and in an instant to now be faced with all these obstacles to go through to be able to get back to the people that she needs to support her through her excruciating loss.
“We would so appreciate if you could share this page with the hope that Fallon’s story is met with compassion, understanding and abundant generosity. Please help us get this family home where they need to be at this time. Thank you”
To visit the Go Fund Me Page and make a donation, click HERE.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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