Chilling warning text sent by ex boyfriend minutes before murdering former lover
Netflix's popular true crime documentary series My Lover My Killer has returned with its second season, with six cases being investigated about those who paid the ultimate price for offending an obsessive lover.
The second episode details the horrific case of hairdresser Hollie Gazzard from Gloucester, who was stabbed 14 times by her ex boyfriend when she was just 20 years old.
She had been in a relationship with Asher Maslin for a year, but had broken up with him on Valentine's Day in 2014 after he became controlling and abusive. Just days later he turned up at her work to murder her using a 12-inch kitchen knife.
Hollie, who was getting worried after being sent a number of abusive texts from her ex, including "I don’t want to get f***ing violent as I’ll take it too far," reported him to police on February 15, but they couldn't find him.
Asher Maslin murdered his ex girlfriend Hollie (PA)
Hollie Gazzard was 20 years old when she was killed (PA)Just minutes before murdering Hollie he sent her sister Chloe's partner a chilling message saying: "I warned you all".
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Hollie and Asher's relationship
Holly and Asher met in January 2013 at a bar, where she was working part time and according to her dad Nick he pursued her until she agreed to a date.
According to her friend Kayleigh Bishop, they "fell in love pretty quickly," and she seemed "happy".
After being taken home to meet the parents, Hollie's mum Mandy instantly recognised him, saying he had a "reputation as a bad boy," but they wanted to give him a second chance.
Hollie had landed her dream job as a hairdresser on a cruise ship, so her parents were surprised when a week into it she called and asked for her dad to arrange flights home.
In the The Channel 5 documentary Stalking: Murder in Slow Motion, her dad recalled: "We believe that he bombarded her with texts, calls and FaceTime that got into her head and persuaded her to come home."
Controlling behaviour
Hollie landed a dream job on a cruise, but after a week she came home (PA)When Hollie returned from the cruise he became possessive, and would turn up when she went for nights out with her friends.
Kayleigh later said he didn't want her to be out with them, because he wanted to be "in control of the situation".
The hairdresser eventually landed a job in London, and Maslin suggested they move in with his cousin who lived there.
But once when her parents called to ask to take her out to lunch, they heard Maslin say "Don't let them take you away from me."
Another warning sign came when the couple came back to Gloucester for Mandy's birthday, and he was "abusive" to her, added dad Nick. He said: "He humiliated her in front of everyone else. He spoke to her like a piece of dirt.
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"He was demanding, he was clicking his fingers and saying things about her. The way he treated her was like a child. He had no respect."
In another worrying incident, the couple became separated at Notting Hill Carnival in August 2013, and when he found Hollie, who had taken his nephew to the toilet, he pushed her in rage.
Hollie fled home, but he would be "constantly calling her" and was "fixated".
The breakup
Hollie broke up with Asher Maslin on Valentine's Day (SWNS.com)
The scene of the murder in Gloucester (MDM)Hollie decided to break up with Maslin in a public place on Valentine's Day in 2014, but he became angry in the restaurant and told her she had a "cold heart". He proceeded to steal her bank card and took out £300.
Maslin began bombarding Hollie with threatening texts, with one saying: "Give me a ring now or dis bat is gonna hit your dad’s head."
She phoned the police after he said he would beat up her and her family, and also threatened to throw acid in her face.
On February 15 Hollie reported to police that he had stolen her bank card and they attempted to arrest him, but they were unable to locate him.
Hollie's murder
Hollie was murdered at the salon where she worked (MDM)At 6.30pm on February 18, Maslin walked into the salon where Hollie worked, Fringe Benefits & La Bella Beauty. She had been expecting him to turn up, so she told her boss to call the police.
The vicious attack only took two minutes, he stabbed her 14 times and the hairdresser was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
In July 2014, Maslin pleaded guilty and was ordered to serve a minimum 24-year sentence for Hollie's murder at Gloucester Crown Court.
It was also revealed that he had previously been arrested 23 times for a variety of offences including domestic violence, criminal damage, possession of Class A drugs and theft.
He was also involved in 24 violent incidents - three involving Miss Gazzard, 12 involving one former partner, two involving another ex, three involving his mother and four against other unconnected people.
The family have now set up a foundation in Hollie's name to campaign on behalf of victims of stalkers, the Hollie Gazzard Trust.
Speaking about why they agreed to take part in the new Netflix documentary, Nick told Gloucester Live: "We decided to take part in the documentary as it is a golden opportunity to keep raising awareness. With the episode being available on Netflix, it will reach a much bigger audience and will help to educate people about unhealthy relationships and learn from Hollie’s story."
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and it's important to remember you're not alone. If you are in immediate danger call 999 and ask for the police. For free, confidential advice, 24 hours a day contact a domestic abuse helpline.
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