Family of Wigan taxi boss and wife killed in US murder-suicide probe release update

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.