Mum’s call for justice over son’s death
Family in plea for criminal charges as Mayor pledges ‘distressing’ incident in which man was unlawfully killed must not be repeated
CROWDS of friends and family of an ‘amazing’ mum gathered outside her home yesterday to say an emotional goodbye.
There was a sombre mood in the air as tearful mourners released hundreds of balloons into the sky in memory of Kimberley McAssey.
The 29-year-old’s body was found after police were called to reports of the ‘sudden death of a woman’ at an address in Sherbourne Court, Prestwich, last Sunday.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been bailed, but remains on remand until 23 March for an unrelated offence.
Organisers of a memorial to Ms McAssey left an open invitation for anyone who wanted to come along
and say their goodbyes. The Manchester Evening News was given permission to attend.
Mourners were asked to bring along a balloon in one of Ms McAssey’s favourite colours including the blue of her beloved Manchester City - which were then released into the air as a recording of Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross was played.
Others brought flowers, which they laid outside her home in Cuckoo Lane, Prestwich.
Addressing the crowds, a family member described Ms McAssey as an ‘amazing’ woman.
“She was a lot of things to many people,” she added.
“The amount of people here today just shows how well-liked she was.”
Following Ms McAssey’s death, her family shared their heartbreak in a moving statement.
They paid tribute to a “loving mother” who was “always the life and soul of the party”.
They said: “Kimberley was a loving mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, niece, friend and colleague. “She was the life and soul of the party and always got up dancing. She loved going out for walks and jogging with friends. “There was never a dull moment with her around.” Her friend Stacey told the Manchester Evening News : “Kimberley was such an amazing girl!
“We met in the local pub in Prestwich called The Red Lion with her family and she was just so happy, cheerful and friendly. “We just got on so well.
“She was the life of the party. I’ve had many laughs with this girl.
“She was so loved by many, many people in Prestwich.”
A fundraiser set up to support Ms McAssey’s family has now raised more than £10,000.