Courtney Browen

But those very qualities are what made Ashley and Laura such good friends. They complemented each other well. And during their childhoods, the girls spent a lot of time together. They only lived about one mile away from each other. So their weekends were always filled with playdates and sleepovers. However, when the girls were in sixth grade, they received devastating news.

that they were going to have to live in different towns. Sadly, that's the year that Ashley and her family moved to nearby Welch, where Danny and Kathy owned 40 acres and set up a trailer on their property. Now again, Welch and Vanita are only about 20 minutes away from one another, but as a preteen, Learning that your best friend is moving schools feels like the end of the world.

that they were going to have to live in different towns. Sadly, that's the year that Ashley and her family moved to nearby Welch, where Danny and Kathy owned 40 acres and set up a trailer on their property. Now again, Welch and Vanita are only about 20 minutes away from one another, but as a preteen, Learning that your best friend is moving schools feels like the end of the world.

that they were going to have to live in different towns. Sadly, that's the year that Ashley and her family moved to nearby Welch, where Danny and Kathy owned 40 acres and set up a trailer on their property. Now again, Welch and Vanita are only about 20 minutes away from one another, but as a preteen, Learning that your best friend is moving schools feels like the end of the world.

But the girls vowed to never let it get in the way of their friendship. And it didn't. It was a promise they kept for years.

But the girls vowed to never let it get in the way of their friendship. And it didn't. It was a promise they kept for years.

But the girls vowed to never let it get in the way of their friendship. And it didn't. It was a promise they kept for years.

When it came to school, Ashley really excelled in sports and she could beat any boy in a race. Her classmate, Sheena Reese, remembered the day that Ashley challenged the fastest boy runner in their class. The entire class lined up to watch them race. And they all erupted in cheers as Ashley beat him to the finish line. But she wasn't just good at running.

When it came to school, Ashley really excelled in sports and she could beat any boy in a race. Her classmate, Sheena Reese, remembered the day that Ashley challenged the fastest boy runner in their class. The entire class lined up to watch them race. And they all erupted in cheers as Ashley beat him to the finish line. But she wasn't just good at running.

When it came to school, Ashley really excelled in sports and she could beat any boy in a race. Her classmate, Sheena Reese, remembered the day that Ashley challenged the fastest boy runner in their class. The entire class lined up to watch them race. And they all erupted in cheers as Ashley beat him to the finish line. But she wasn't just good at running.

Ashley was also a talented basketball player at Welch High School. And she was a member of the school's National Honor Society. Now both Laura and Ashley were very smart girls. It was reported that they were both in the top 10% of their class. They took their schoolwork seriously, but they also knew how to unwind and have fun.

Ashley was also a talented basketball player at Welch High School. And she was a member of the school's National Honor Society. Now both Laura and Ashley were very smart girls. It was reported that they were both in the top 10% of their class. They took their schoolwork seriously, but they also knew how to unwind and have fun.

Ashley was also a talented basketball player at Welch High School. And she was a member of the school's National Honor Society. Now both Laura and Ashley were very smart girls. It was reported that they were both in the top 10% of their class. They took their schoolwork seriously, but they also knew how to unwind and have fun.

Now, despite going to different schools, Laura and Ashley still had a very tight-knit friendship. And by 1999, Laura had finally gotten her driver's license and a car, which was perfect because now the girls could hang out whenever they wanted. And this marks a very special time in a teenager's life. Getting a car means more independence, more freedom.

Now, despite going to different schools, Laura and Ashley still had a very tight-knit friendship. And by 1999, Laura had finally gotten her driver's license and a car, which was perfect because now the girls could hang out whenever they wanted. And this marks a very special time in a teenager's life. Getting a car means more independence, more freedom.

Now, despite going to different schools, Laura and Ashley still had a very tight-knit friendship. And by 1999, Laura had finally gotten her driver's license and a car, which was perfect because now the girls could hang out whenever they wanted. And this marks a very special time in a teenager's life. Getting a car means more independence, more freedom.

Now, Ashley wouldn't be turning 16 until that December, but she was counting down the days until her birthday. For months, she had been saving up money from her job at the local convenience store so she could buy herself a small Toyota. Every time she got a paycheck, she would take out a portion of it in cash, and she would store the money in a sealed Tupperware container

Now, Ashley wouldn't be turning 16 until that December, but she was counting down the days until her birthday. For months, she had been saving up money from her job at the local convenience store so she could buy herself a small Toyota. Every time she got a paycheck, she would take out a portion of it in cash, and she would store the money in a sealed Tupperware container

Now, Ashley wouldn't be turning 16 until that December, but she was counting down the days until her birthday. For months, she had been saving up money from her job at the local convenience store so she could buy herself a small Toyota. Every time she got a paycheck, she would take out a portion of it in cash, and she would store the money in a sealed Tupperware container

that she kept in her family's freezer. By the winter of 1999, with her birthday approaching, Ashley had already saved up about $4,000. She also already had her driver's license test scheduled for December 30th, 1999, the day after her 16th birthday. But little did she know, she would never make it to her driver's test.