Murder victim deserves story of her life, not just her death

The Lancaster newspaper takes a step further than the Reading Eagle in covering the murder of a 23-year-old Robesonia woman, Ashley Kline, whose body was found Sunday in Lancaster County. 

What a concept – they talked to somebody who knew her. The Eagle, as usual, would rather avoid any possibility of offense rather than seeking the truth. 

Contrary to the first rule of journalism, the major news media in Berks County routinely puts the needs of its sources before those of its readers. The Eagle seems to pride itself on making every story about crime and tragedy as formulaic and devoid of any human element as possible, relying on nothing more than police sources. 

To tell the story of a tragedy like Kline's, you have to go further and take the painful step of reaching out to the family. In my experience, most grieving relatives are happy to let the public know about their loved one, to move the emphasis of the senseless death away from the crime details. 

Some journalists carefully profile murder victims to underscore the community’s horrible losses. 

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Homicide Watch D.C.
The Homicide Report

Here’s what Ashley’s aunt told the Lancaster paper: 

Kline left her father's home that night without taking an overnight bag, her cellphone charger or her laptop, according to her aunt, Penny Monteleone. 

"She said she was going to a girlfriend's (house) and never returned home," Monteleone said Monday afternoon. "She was always good about letting her dad know where she was." 

On Monday, Kline's family was concerned and awaiting further details. "I hope I'm wrong, but it appears that there has been foul play," Monteleone said. 

Monteleone said she last saw her niece on Christmas, when she hosted Ashley Kline and other relatives. "Ashley and I spend a lot of time together," she said. Monteleone said the past several days have been "devastating." 

"We have been playing investigators around the clock," she said. "We are sick with worry." 

"The Klines are a very Christian, loving family and they don't deserve this. Ashley's an inspiration to everyone who knows her. She's just a little too trusting, and there are sick people who prey on that."