LOCAL VIGIL DRAWS HUNDREDS

February 14—Hundreds of Leek residents joined the friends and family of Dr. Elizabeth Asha for a vigil outside her home in Upper Hulme. Dr. Asha, a physicist at Keele University, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer eighteen months ago. She has been undergoing treatment, and the local community has come together to raise funds to pay for novel therapies.

Cynthia Hughes, a friend of the family, said, “Beth is such a wonderful person. She deserves every chance. This is a celebration of her, but it’s also a celebration of hope.”

Through a family spokesperson, Elizabeth Asha’s husband, David, thanked all those who attended the vigil, saying he and the family had been touched by the kindness and support.

Katie Harper, Leek Advertiser

MISADVENTURE VERDICT

September 6—A verdict of death by misadventure was returned in respect of Dr. David Asha of Upper Hulme, Staffordshire, who disappeared on June 14. Dr. Asha had been recently bereaved after the death of his wife, Elizabeth, who passed away in April after succumbing to her long battle with cancer. Friends say Dr. Asha had been distraught at his wife’s death and had become increasingly isolated. He was seen near Arthog in Wales on the day of his death, walking near the clifftops. He is survived by his son, Elliot.

Katie Harper, Leek Advertiser

Two lives and boundless tragedy summed up in a brace of short newspaper articles. The misadventure verdict had been delivered a week ago. These people weren’t long gone. Harri looked away from the library monitor and wondered why a scientist would write a message in a book, suggesting “he” (her husband?) was trying to kill her. She was intrigued by David Asha’s death. The coroner might have ruled misadventure, but a depressed man hanging around clifftops probably wasn’t there for the view. Could it have been suicide as Edie had suggested? Had he struggled with grief? Or was it guilt? What had happened to the child? Had he been taken into care? Was he safe?

Harri wasn’t police anymore, but she still had the heart and soul of a detective, and they could never take that away from her. She got to her feet, gave a nod of thanks to Edie, and left the library.