It’s a precious family memory captured on film, as little Aisling Symes licks icing off her fi nger and waits for the first slice to be cut from her beautiful second birthday cake. In this heartbreaking snapshot, the excited toddler can’t take her eyes off the toy bird and musical note that decorate the cake. The ornaments were chosen by her parents Angela and Alan and big sister Caitlin (5) to symbolise the wee girl’s love of nature and dancing.That happy day full of joy and hope was just four months ago and, back then, no-one could have predicted the tragic chain of events that would make this Aisling’s last birthday party.
When the toddler disappeared from her late grandparents’ West Auckland house on 5 october, the whole country waited and prayed she would be found safe and sound. That afternoon, her mum Angela had been mending a washing machine while her daughters played in puddles and chased ducks. It only took a few short moments for Aisling to toddle away – and she was never seen alive again.
Police were quickly alerted when a frantic Angela realised she couldn’t find her daughter and teams of offi cers began searching the area despite heavy rain. It wasn’t long before volunteers from the community joined the search and divers began combing nearby creeks and streams for any clue to the toddler’s whereabouts.
But when Aisling still wasn’t found after extensive searching of the area, police feared she had been snatched from outside the house and calls went out to an Asian woman, seen that evening with a small child matching Aisling’s description, to come forward. The plight of her distraught family touched hearts all over New Zealand and for a week, the nation hoped Aisling would be returned safely to her parents.
Bravely, Angela and Alan made a public plea for Aisling’s return and talked about how precious she was to them. “She is very stubborn, very bold and not easily diverted from her purpose,” Angela said quietly, as she cuddled a Pooh bear toy she had bought for Aisling just before she went missing.”We went to an opportunity shop to drop off some stuff and she saw this little fella sitting there,” Angela explained, as she squeezed the bear tighter. “She only got a few minutes to play with him.”
But a week after Aisling went missing, any hopes of her being back in her mum’s arms ended forever. The little girl’s body was found in a narrow stormwater drain just next door to her grandparents’ house and a post-mortem revealed she had drowned.
The few seconds that it took for Aisling to disappear will be seared in Angela’s memory forever. “I was basically fiddling with the washing machine taps. I turned off the hot tap, looked behind me, and she was there. I went to turn off the other tap, and she was gone, it was that fast. I erupted from the door, screaming out her name, and that was that – she was gone. I can’t believe she moved so quickly. In the time it takes to turn off a tap, she was gone.”
Angela describes her independent daughter as always being determined to tackle any obstacles all by herself, without relying on anyone else. During one walk, where the path had tree roots across it, Angela offered to pick up Aisling. But the girl told her mum firmly, “No, I walk. I walk!” The worry is etched into Angela’s face when she talks about life without Aisling, who was so devoted to her parents, sister, family and pets. “The house is empty without her. We miss her terribly.”
As New Zealand Woman’s Weekly went to print, investigations were still under way to find out how Aisling managed to get from her grandparents’ home into a drain through an access pipe that had a 20kg manhole cover on it. Her body was found 36m from the entrance, wedged into a narrow part of the drain. Although locals had complained to the council about the cover coming loose in heavy rain, there was just a 10cm opening, which raised questions about how she managed to get through such a tiny gap. However, another part of the mystery has been solved with the Asian woman fi nally coming forward and being ruled out of the inquiry by police. As the investigation continues, hundreds of well-wishers have been gathering at the house, leaving fl owers, toys and candles.
The public was welcomed to Aisling’s funeral in West Auckland on Friday, where touching tributes were made and music played in memory of a “cherished little girl”. Through family, Angela and Alan say they appreciate the nation’s thoughts and prayers and they understand that it’s not just their devastated family who are grieving: “We thank the many people who have supported us throughout this traumatic week, as we struggle to deal with the loss of a beautiful daughter, sister, niece and family member.
“Although the loss of Aisling has been unbearable we have, however, found some sense of resolution now Aisling has been found. It’s hard to imagine life without her infectious smiles and bubbly nature.”
