Losing a child is unimaginable for any parent, but for Kelly Kennedy, the loss of her daughter, Ellie Marsden, at just 20 years old, has been a daily agony.
Ellie and her boyfriend, Ryan Duffy, were tragically killed in a van crash following a police pursuit in September 2021, leaving behind a grieving family and a search for justice.
As a new inquest has shed light on the events leading up to the crash, Kelly spoke out about the unbearable grief she continues to endure.
The Tragic Incident That Shattered a Family
Ellie Marsden and Ryan Duffy were found dead after their van veered off the road and collided with a tree near Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.
The tragic crash happened in the early hours of September 5, 2021, just hours after the couple had been enjoying a short break in the area.
According to a recent inquest, the police pursuit by PC Craig Stevenson was a significant factor in the accident.
The van was being followed by the officer, and it is believed that Ryan, who was driving, may have been aware he was being pursued and may have driven accordingly.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Ryan was over twice the legal drink-driving limit, with cocaine and ketamine also found in his system.
As the investigation continues, Ellie’s mother, Kelly Kennedy, expressed the profound impact this tragedy has had on her family, describing the grief as “crippling.”
The Heartbreaking Words of a Mother
Kelly Kennedy spoke out in an emotional statement, sharing the unbearable pain of losing her daughter.
“No parent should have to go through losing a child, especially in such horrific circumstances,” she said.
“Ellie was the most loving, kind, and caring daughter, and she had her whole life ahead of her.
She wasn’t just my daughter, she was my best friend, and the best friend of her heartbroken sister Chloe.
Our lives are shattered without her here, and we will ache for her for the rest of our lives.”
Her words reveal the deep void left behind by Ellie’s passing, and how the loss has affected her entire family.
“Ellie, I love and miss you more than life itself,” Kelly continued.
“Me, your dad, your family, and friends will ache for you for all eternity.”
The Inquest Findings and the Family’s Fight for Justice
The inquest into Ellie and Ryan’s deaths found that the police pursuit played a significant role in the crash.
The jury determined that PC Stevenson’s spontaneous decision to pursue the van may have influenced Ryan’s driving, ultimately leading to the fatal accident.
Kelly Kennedy expressed her gratitude to the coroner and the jury for their detailed investigation, which she believes has vindicated her family’s pursuit of justice.
“This conclusion has given us the justice we’ve fought for,” she said.
“We hope this will lead to changes that prevent future tragedies like this from occurring.”
A Loving Couple’s Final Moments
Ellie and Ryan had traveled to Cumbria for a short getaway and had checked into a hotel near Appleby Castle.
The couple had spent time at a local pub before returning to their van around midnight.
It was at this point that PC Stevenson began following them, initially because of a traffic violation.
The officer’s pursuit escalated, with both vehicles speeding through the town and onto rural roads.
PC Stevenson lost sight of the van on a country lane, just a short distance from where the crash would later be discovered.
The tragic sequence of events raises questions about the appropriateness of the police chase and whether the pursuit should have been initiated in the first place.
A Bright Young Life Cut Short
Ellie Marsden’s parents described their daughter as a model student and a kind-hearted individual.
Teachers from her primary school and high school fondly remembered her as a “lovely girl” who was always eager to learn and never caused any trouble.
After leaving school, Ellie worked as a care assistant at the Golborne Day Centre, where she completed an apprenticeship and won an award for being the “newcomer of the year.”
Her parents also reflected on Ellie’s relationship with Ryan, saying the couple shared “so many loving and fun times” together.
The loss of Ellie, just as she was beginning her adult life, has left her family with an overwhelming sense of grief.
Remembering Ellie and the Ongoing Search for Justice
While the loss of Ellie remains a deep wound, her family continues to hold onto her memory, remembering her as a loving, vibrant young woman.
As the fight for justice continues, Kelly Kennedy hopes that the tragic accident will lead to important changes in how police pursuits are handled, so no other family has to endure such a loss.
Though Ellie’s life was tragically cut short, her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
As her mother said, “Ellie, we will love and miss you for all eternity.”