Dad Ashley Henry, 35, ‘killed daughter, 2, by smashing car into lorry’ as Channel 4 star mum shares tribute to ‘my baby’
A DAD is understood to have killed his toddler daughter and himself after driving into the path of a lorry on Father’s Day.
Ashley Henry, 35, a company director, and Oria, who turned two in April, died driving back home from a weekend break at the seaside.
Initially, the tragedy which happened in the Lincolnshire village of Anwick was treated as a straightforward collision.
However, Lincolnshire Police said on Tuesday afternoon after “careful consideration,” a murder investigation had been launched into the youngster’s death on Sunday.
The force said it was not looking for anybody else in connection with the double death, adding the lorry driver was not a suspect.
Locals claim Henry drove "straight towards" the lorry on the wrong side of the road.
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It is understood that the collision was caught on a dash cam.
Oria's mum Rachael Leader, who works in global procurement for soft drinks firm PepsiCo, appeared on Channel 4’s dating show spin-off First Dates Hotel in 2020.
The 32-year-old was being comforted by her parents at their home in the Leicestershire village of Broughton Astley today.
Rachael’s mum, Judith, 65, said the family were too upset to comment.
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On Instagram Rachael wrote alongside a picture of her smiling daughter: "(The) circumstances are being treated as Murder/Suicide.
"My poor baby. You were taken from me by an evil force. A sick man, a man that I trusted with your life only for it be taken away by him in such a horrific way.
"Oria, I am so sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.
"My pain will be turned into purpose, I promise you that. I love you sweetheart. See you in heaven, baby girl."
A friend replied: "Horrifying, how can someone do this to an innocent child? It’s been on my mind constantly Rachael, can’t stop thinking about you all."
In an earlier post on the social media platform, Rachael had told pals that the dad and her daughter had died in a car crash while “travelling back from Skegness”.
On Facebook, Rachael reposted a police update confirming the investigation was now a murder inquiry, along with the comment "my baby" as well as crying and broken heart emojis.
His dad, Paul Henry, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, below a picture of his son and granddaughter: “Can't believe lost my son granddaughter never be the same person again.”
The Henry family, from Leicester, declined to comment today.
A villager in Anwick also said he had heard Rachael and Henry had separated, saying: “The lorry swerved into a dyke in a bid to avoid the car, which was driving straight towards it on the lorry's side of the road.”
He added the lorry had been fully loaded with chilled chicken from a local processing plant.
In a tribute shared via Lincolnshire Police, Rachael said: “To my darling daughter, Oria. I love you so much. I’m so sorry your precious life was taken from you.
“You gave me so much light sweetheart, so much love and so much happiness. I will cherish each and every moment we had together.
“You had the most beautiful smile and gorgeous curly hair. You touched the hearts of many Oria and I’m so incredibly proud to be your mummy.
“I miss you so much. Whilst the pain of losing you is indescribable, I will turn it into purpose, for you and for us.
“You chose me for a reason and will continue to shine your light through me. We will shine together. My darling girl, my baby, God will keep you safe until we meet again in heaven.
“I love you Oria, mummy xxx”
Lincolnshire Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying: “We have launched a murder investigation after a fatal collision between a lorry and a car in Anwick.
“Driver Ashley Henry, 35, and passenger Oria Henry, 2, from Leicester were travelling along Main Road in a blue Nissan Quashqai when the incident took place at around 2.45pm on Sunday, 18 June.
"Both were pronounced dead at the scene. ‘Our investigation into the incident continues but after careful consideration we can confirm we have begun a murder investigation into the death of two-year-old Oria.
"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident but cannot provide further details at this time.
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"Our thoughts remain with the family of those who lost their lives in this collision and specialist officers are supporting them at this difficult time."
If you have information that may help the police in their enquiries, contact the force control room on 101 quoting incident number 264 of 18 June.
