A mother has told of her ‘immense sadness’ and pain as she struggles to cope with the loss of her ‘beautiful’ toddler daughter who was killed by her father in a suspected murder-suicide four months ago.
Distraught Rachael Leader said there was ‘no escape’ from the daily agony as she sees little Oria Henry’s toys still scattered around her untouched home; she walks past her empty bedroom and enviably watches other two-year-old children happily playing.
She told of her anger, and in a scathing attack on her former partner, who also died, she said: ‘I don’t understand how one could take their own child’s life out of spite. And have planned it, weeks before. It’s psychotic.’
Miss Leader, 32, sharing her heartache on social media, revealed for the first time how she had been invited on the fateful trip on Father’s Day in June but had turned it down.
Her cherished daughter – her only child – was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, company director Ashley Henry, 35, in a horror crash on their way home from a weekend at the seaside.
Rachael Leader, Oria and Ashley Henry pictured together before he killed their daughter in a suspected murder-suicide in June this year
Oria Henry (pictured) was allegedly murdered by Miss Leader’s ex-boyfriend, company director Ashley Henry, 35, in a horror crash on their way home from a weekend at the seaside
The devastated mum from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, told her friends and supporters on Facebook: ‘I was invited on that trip but I declined because I already had plans. Imagine if I’d have gone. I don’t think I’d be here to tell the tale.’
Police are investigating the double deaths as a murder-suicide.
The ‘fragile’ mum, who is on extended bereavement leave from her job in global procurement for soft drinks firm PepsiCo, appeared on Channel 4’s dating show spin-off First Dates Hotel in 2020.
Of her ensuing battle she said: ‘I feel like going into a ‘cave’ and not interacting with a single soul.’
Oria, who turned two in April, died when her dad drove into the path of a lorry on June 18 – following the bitter breakdown of his relationship with her mother.
He had taken his daughter away to celebrate Father’s Day and was returning to the family home when the tragedy unfolded in Anwick, Lincolnshire.
It was initially treated as an accidental collision.
But two days later after ‘careful consideration’ police launched a murder investigation into the toddler’s death and said they were not looking for anybody else.
It is understood that the crash was caught on dash cam. Locals claim the dad – a manager for a firm selling medicinal mushrooms – drove ‘straight towards’ the lorry on the wrong side of the road.
In a recent heart wrenching post, Miss Leader describes her continuing nightmare, writing: ‘There’s no escaping any of it.
‘From seeing other two-year-olds, to passing her bedroom door every day, to seeing her toys in the same place at home. There’s no escape.
‘I wish I had more time with her. I really do. It’s so cruel what’s happened. And I feel a lot of anger.’
She added: ‘Anger is normal, it’s just when it turns into resentment and bitterness that it weighs you down.’
In a previous post the desperate mum, who has been ‘overwhelmed’ by supportive and loving messages from friends and family, revealed: ‘I feel like I’m living in a dream and a nightmare all at once. I feel like Oria has gone away for a while, even though I know she hasn’t.’
She added: ‘I feel shock and disbelief at what’s happened. I feel immense sadness sometimes.
‘I feel really numb and very introverted. I feel like going into a ‘cave’ and not interacting with a single soul.
‘I feel everything and nothing at the same time. It’s weird because I also feel other peoples’ sorrow, for me. ‘
The brave mum, who said she has ‘big plans’ which she needs to ‘fulfil’ for herself and her departed daughter, added : ‘My soul has been fractured and I feel fragile.’
Miss Leader had bid beloved Oria a final farewell at her funeral on July 20 at Countesthorpe Crematorium, Leicestershire, where she requested mourners wear ‘white, light clothes’ and ‘strictly no black clothes.’
Following the tragedy, the devastated mum had paid tribute to Oria as ‘beautiful’ and ‘gorgeous.’
Oria, who turned two in April, died when her dad drove into the path of a lorry on June 18 – following the bitter breakdown of his relationship with her mother.
Mother Rachael and Oria Henry pictured together before her alleged murder by her father
In an Instagram post released through police she 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.
‘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. See you in heaven baby girl.’
Miss Leader has since moved into her parents’ home where her mum Judith, 65, is helping to comfort her daughter, saying: ‘She has good day and bad days.’
Inquests into Oria and her ‘killer’ dad’s deaths are due to be held on December 18 at Lincoln Coroner’s Court.
Lincolnshire Police are still investigating the double deaths.
At the time a force spokesperson said: ‘We have launched a murder investigation after a fatal collision between a lorry and a car in Anwick and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
‘Driver Ashley Henry, 35, and passenger Oria Henry, two, 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 Oria.
‘We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident but cannot provide further details at this time.
‘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.’
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
