Ashley Cunningham

Ashley Cunningham’s only child, Aiden Cameron, was murdered on June 25, 2022. Aiden was stabbed on Crown Street, the same street he grew up on and still called home at the time of his death. Aiden was only 19, having celebrated his last birthday on Feb 2, which was the last photo he and his mother have together.

Thankfully, the murderer was apprehended following the stabbing and charged with 2nd murder the following day. Unfortunately, that would be just the beginning of what will be a long and painful process towards a trial date.

After having to go through the wait of the autopsy, then seeing her Son for the last time at the funeral home and no longer being able to touch him once having to leave the final visitation to having to sign over his body to be cremated, Ashley is overwhelmed with grief.

The devastating loss of her Son has prevented Ashley from being able to return to work as an RPN at the Balmoral Detox Centre or with Oak Medical Arts at this time or in the foreseeable future. Ashley does not have work benefits and is a single income. On top of her regular expenses, she now must factor in Memorial Service fees and lost wages.

Nothing will ever compensate for the loss of Ashley’s Son but relieving some of the burdens she has come to bare can, at the very least, ease some the weight being carried. It will take time for her to adjust to different life without her Son and come to terms with having to change the plans she had set forth for herself and Aiden. Due to these circumstances, Ashley is no longer able to move from Thunder Bay to Calgary for a new life, with her Son, as they had planned do to within a year. Now, because of a murder trial that could take 2-4yrs to conclude, she will have to be continually retraumatized throughout the process.

Ashley and Aiden were extremely close and were looking forward to experiencing new adventures, celebrating each other’s successes, and supporting one another as they faced obstacles or difficult times. Ashley was looking forward to watching her Son grow into a mature man, discover new talents and ambitions as he began to realize what he wanted for himself in life. In the week prior to his death, Aiden had committed to bettering his mental and emotional well being through counselling, wanting to have healthier relationships with his family, friends, and girlfriend. The morning he was murdered, he had a job interview and was given the position he applied for. Aiden was very excited to start a new job and had been looking forward to celebrating this with his best friends that night. Aiden had been working hard on his schoolwork and was impressed with himself as he only needed one more semester to have all the credits required for his grade 12 High School Diploma. Ashley was given his report card just days after he died, and Aiden had passed everything with high marks; Aiden would have been proud of himself and deserved to enjoy his accomplishments. Ashley and Aiden had made plans to get tattoos together as Aiden was going to be getting his first tattoo, with the gift card from Ashley for his 19th birthday. Aiden wanted to get a memorial piece for one of his best friends who had committed suicide when they were 16; instead, Ashley is left with the gift certificate to get a memorial piece for her only child. All future plans they had together are gone and the immense loss of Aiden is felt every day. Ashley will not have any more children of her own and she will never be blessed with grandchildren.

This is the time to come together to support Ashley and surround her with love, empathy and compassion as the grief process is something that can not be rushed and is different for everyone. One thing that is certain, only a parent who has lost a child can understand the true depth of the pain.

Please donate if you are able, knowing your contribution matters and is greatly appreciated, be it big or small, all acts of kindness add up to equal what really matters, the love and support being given to a grieving Mother. Please share to make sure this message reaches as many hearts as possible to honor Aiden Cameron Cunningham and take care of his Mom the way he aspired to be able to.