HOLLIE GAZZARD

Hollie was a vibrant, positive, determined young woman, who qualified as a hairdresser in 2012 and was set for a bright future. She was desperate to travel but didn’t want to leave her career behind, so she decided to combine the two by working on a cruise ship.

While she was waiting to train with Steiner in London, Hollie began working at Zest, a bar in Gloucester. It was here that she met a man called Asher Maslin. Hollie didn’t know it, but she had begun a relationship with a man who would not only dominate her young life – he would brutally end it.

The last year of Hollie’s life was dominated by warning signs of stalking and the coercive control that was to spiral uncontrollably – but none of us knew it at the time. Although, as a family, we had been aware of incidents, we were totally unaware that Hollie was being manipulated, abused, controlled and stalked by Maslin.

Hollie mainly kept her heartache to herself, despite her close relationships with family and friends. It made it difficult for Hollie, and those around her, to truly identify or understand the extreme danger she was facing. We all knew that things were far from right during her relationship with Maslin, but we didn’t know what was happening, or what we could do to help when we did witness incidents or see changes in Hollie.

She tried to end their relationship on many occasions, but he would never take ‘no’ for an answer. Throughout their relationship, Maslin harassed her, was coercive and controlling, which was quickly combined with stalking after Hollie managed to finish things.

A few days after Hollie managed to get it through to Maslin that their relationship was over, he walked into the Salon where she worked and stabbed Hollie 14 times in a brutal and sustained attack which left her with fatal wounds. He stabbed her in the neck, back, shoulders and chest. She had a number of defence wounds to her face and left arm, but she didn’t stand a chance.

Hollie was a determined and successful individual, a true inspiration for others, loved, by her family and friends and highly regarded by colleagues and clients alike. Hollie was vibrant, fun, vivacious, talented and beautiful. She is sadly missed by all who knew her.

THE HOLLIE GAZZARD TRUST

The Hollie Gazzard Trust was created following the murder of 20-year-old Hollie at the hairdressing salon where she worked in Gloucester, in 2014, by an ex-partner. Hollie was a talented and creative hairdresser who had the world at her feet. Tragically her life was cut short and she was not able to fulfil her dreams. Hollies family were totally devastated by this, but, wanted something positive to come out of the tragic loss of their gorgeous Hollie.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust helps to reduce domestic abuse and stalking through creating workshops on domestic abuse and healthy relationships and delivers these to schools, colleges, universities and organisations. In addition, the Trust funds hairdressing training for young people who may not otherwise have the funds to study, Hollie was passionate about hairdressing and the Trust enables others to follow their dreams. It also campaigns to reduce knife crime.

The Hollie Gazzard Trust was set up by Hollie’s dad Nick, mum Mandy and her sister Chloe. They hope the funds raised by the Trust will help and support other young people, from becoming victims of domestic abuse, stalking and knife crime.

AIM

The aim of the Trust is to positively change the lives of young people suffering from abuse and stalking across the UK.

VISION

Providing hope, passion and an opportunity for young people. Promoting peace and helping the under 25’s fulfil their potential.

They have also been instrumental in developing concepts including Hollie Guard and the Hollie GaZZette.