Woman Fatally Shot By Estranged Husband During Work Zoom Call

SPRING VALLEY, CA — Additional details emerged this week in the shooting death of a San Diego area woman, who was killed during a company Zoom call by her estranged husband, according to reports.

Ashley Bird, 35, was shot and killed April 16 in her home in the Spring Valley community of eastern San Diego County, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Her husband was found dead in his car soon after. They left behind a 9-year-old son.

Bird's mother, Patti Weber, told 10News that her daughter was on a Zoom call with a co-worker when someone tried to break into her home.

"She said, 'Hey Eddie, I have to leave. Someone is trying to get in my front door,'" Weber told the news station. "He heard fighting noises."

Bird never returned to the call. The co-worker contacted her mother and another family member called the sheriff's department, according to NBC 7 San Diego.

The break-in was reported at 10:24 a.m. April 16 in the 800 block of La Presa Avenue in Spring Valley, according to the sheriff's department.

Deputies found Bird with head trauma inside the home, Lt. Michael Krugh said. Despite lifesaving measures, Bird died from her injuries.

"The preliminary cause of death is a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death is homicide," Krugh said.

The suspect was identified as Bird's 39-year-old estranged husband Christopher Bird, Krugh said. Later that day, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Department found him dead inside his vehicle at Calafia Beach Park in San Clemente.

Weber told 10News Bird killed himself after picking up the couple's 9-year-old son from school and dropping him off with his brother near Camp Pendleton.

Although the sheriff's department said the circumstances and motivation of the crime were still under investigation, Weber told the news station her daughter had filed for divorce from her husband of nearly 13 years.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover funeral costs and other expenses. As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised nearly 23,000.

"Ashley was taken from us too soon in life and she will be dearly missed by all her friends and family," the organizer wrote on GoFundMe. "She had such an impact on everyone around her and was the most kind, warm hearted, generous soul."