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More than 150 people attend vigil held in memory of B.C. woman killed in U.K.

Ashley Wadsworth, 19, was killed in England Feb. 1, 2022. Her boyfriend is charged with her murder. Courtesy: FACEBOOK

About 150 people attended a vigil held on Saturday in Chelmsford, England, where a woman from Vernon, B.C., died after moving there to be with her boyfriend.

According to BBC News, orchids were laid and tributes poured out to honour the life of Ashley Wadsworth.

Wadsworth, 19, is said to have been stabbed to death following a disturbance at an address in Chelmsford, Essex, at 4 p.m., on Feb. 1.

Wadsworth had flown the U.K. to be with her boyfriend, Jack Sepple, in November of last year.

Sepple, 23, has been charged with murder.

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Jack Sepple, of Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, appearing in the dock at Colchester Magistrates’ Court accused of the murder of a 19-year-old Canadian woman who was found dead in Chelmsford. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP.

According to BBC News, someone at Saturday’s vigil read aloud a special tribute from Wadsworth’s sister, Hailey.

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The vigil took place at a park on Brownings Avenue, close to where Wadsworth died.

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“My beautiful sister,” the message read. “You have done amazing things, honey, you cared so much for your family, you always put us first.

“I’m so happy we were so close and grew up together and spent almost every day of our lives together.

“I don’t think I almost ever went a day without talking to you, I love you so much, I’ll never stop missing you, I keep seeing you and I know you’re here watching out for me.”

Wadsworth moved from Vernon to the U.K. in November on a six-month visa and media reports indicate she was due to be back in Canada this week.

Click to play video: 'Vernon teen killed in the U.K. reached out for help'
Vernon teen killed in the U.K. reached out for help

 

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Wadsworth’s cousin, Melissa Locke, told BBC News, the family was “so thankful” for the tribute.

“It was really touching to see. We’re really thankful people are sharing those kinds of things with us, because that’s what we want to see.”

Jack Sepple, left, is charged with the murder of B.C. woman Ashley Wadsworth. FACEBOOK

An online fundraiser has been organized by Wadsworth’s family in an effort to raise funds to bring her back to Canada.

So far, the family has raised $17,000 with a goal of $50,000.

Sepple appeared in court on Friday and remains in custody. He did not apply for bail.

His next court appearance was set for March 7 for a preliminary trial and preparation hearing.

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