MILTON, Ont. – Media reports say a young Ontario woman who is accused of faking terminal cancer and taking money raised to help her was granted bail of $5,000 on Friday.
Ashley Kirilow, 23, is facing fraud charges after allegedly faking cancer in order to solicit donations to a Facebook charity.
Kirilow faces three charges of fraud under $5,000 and one charge of fraud over $5,000.
Her bail hearing was held in a Milton courtroom Friday afternoon.
Kirilow and her supporters have faced threats of violence, even death.
"I’ve been defending her at the Facebook groups where people were demanding her head and uttering death threats towards her," said Jeordie White, a friend of Kirilow.
White, who said he has been banned from many of these Facebook groups for defending her, said that she was young and made a terrible mistake, but that she does not deserve jail time and suggests community service would be a more appropriate punishment.
Kirilow’s actions left many hurt and deceived.
Donna Michalowski, a real estate agent from nearby Burlington, Ont., said she helped Kirilow raise more than $7,000.
"I’m quite heartsick about the whole thing," said Michalowski.
Jackie Musial, a student at Sheridan College, befriended Kirilow in October 2009. She does not forgive her, but feels death threats are unwarranted.
"The people who are wishing harm upon Ashley are people that didn’t have a relationship with her," said Musial. "There is absolutely no reason for anyone to be receiving death threats. The girl is going to suffer enough for the rest of her life."
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