On April 16, 2024, 35-year-old Ashley Bird was found dead in her Spring Valley, California, home after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head. She had been on a work-related Zoom call at about 10:24 a.m. when she reported someone attempting to break into the house, left to check the disturbance, and did not return. Deputies located her unresponsive on the couch and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities quickly identified Ashley’s estranged husband, 39-year-old Christopher Bird, as the primary suspect. Later the same day Christopher was found deceased inside his vehicle at Calafia Beach Park in San Clemente; the Orange County Coroner’s Office was assigned to determine his cause of death. The couple had been finalizing a divorce after nearly 13 years of marriage and shared a 9-year-old son; family members said the divorce and custody arrangements may have been factors. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department reported no outstanding suspects and no apparent danger to the community.

If anyone has information about Ashley, Christopher, or events leading up to April 16, please come forward.