‘I miss her smile’: Family, friends remember woman killed in Sheraden on anniversary of her death

PITTSBURGH — Friends and family gathered Monday to remember a local woman who was killed in Sheraden last year.

It’s been one full year since Ashley Roberts’ killing.

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Roberts was found shot to death and run over by a car in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood on Jan. 23, 2022.

“I miss her smile, her laughter,” said an emotional Melissa Rourke, Ashley’s mom. “It’s hard. It’s even harder being back up to where it happened.”

Monday night, Rourke gathered with friends and family members along Minton Street, the street where Ashley lost her life.

They lit candles and released balloons in honor of the slain mother of four.

“We’re going to celebrate her today instead of grieving her. She was a great person, a wonderful mom, and everybody misses her,” said Ashley’s friend, Melanie Sorochman.

Just last month, Pittsburgh Police charged Alec Stefanovits, 28, with criminal homicide in Ashley’s murder. It finally brought her family some closure.

“It was my best Christmas present ever,” said Rourke.

According to police paperwork, two witnesses came forward claiming a man named Steven Bundridge hired Stefanovits to kill Ashley because he believed she was stealing from him.

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Bundridge was shot and killed in Spring Garden not long before Stefanovits’ arrest last month.

“It’ll be even better when he’s found guilty and sentenced,” said Rourke.

Stefanovits is due back in court for a formal arraignment on Feb. 7.

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