Judiciary 'shaken' following death of Parish Court Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley, says Chief Justice

The legal fraternity is in mourning following the passing of Senior Parish Court Judge for Hanover, Sasha-Marie Ashley, “whose untimely death has deeply shaken the judiciary,” Chief Justice Bryan Sykes said.

She died on Monday morning after a period of illness.

“Judge Ashley was an outstanding judicial officer who served the people of Jamaica with distinction, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice,” said Sykes in a statement on Monday. “Her life and judicial career were still unfolding, marked by promise, purpose, and service.”

Justice Sykes highlighted Ashley's work across Hanover, St James, Clarendon, and Westmoreland, noting that she “demonstrated an admirable balance of firmness, fairness, and humanity, qualities that earned her the respect of litigants, attorneys, court staff, and her judicial colleagues alike.”

Beyond her professional excellence, Sykes said, Judge Ashley was “a warm and vibrant presence within the judiciary family.”

“Her collegial spirit, quiet strength, and genuine care for others enriched every court in which she served. Her passing is not only the loss of a valued colleague but the loss of a cherished friend,” he added.

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