Category Archives: News

The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund has made a contribution to the Brookline Early Education Program (BEEP) where Lauren got her start in school, where Lauren's mother teaches.

Its mission it is "to provide an inclusive environment where children can learn social competency, develop cognitive, motor, and language skills, and expand their understanding of the themselves and the world in which they live." A special emphasis is placed on social thinking, and developing healthy relationships early on.

Wayland Patch 4/5/12: Wayland Tragedy Sparks Completion of Compassion Model. What if a culture of compassion could serve as a levy, lessening the waves of violence and abuse that crash over communities across Massachusetts and the country? It’s a question that has intrigued University of Wisconsin professor John LeCapitaine for a decade, but it’s one that took on new significance last summer when a graduate school friend, Malcolm Astley, suffered a heartbreaking tragedy.

Wayland Town Crier 4/11/12: Murdered girl's dad urges teens to find a balance. With a scale set on the podium in front of him — a gift to his young daughter years ago — Malcolm Astley urged close to 100 students and parents in the Natick High auditorium last night to strike a balance in their lives and relationships. Although Lauren would “roll her eyes and ask why a parent would ever give a balance to a kindergartener” as a present, the Wayland man said his daughter “was beginning to get it” as she entered adulthood.

Elon Pendulum 3/27/12: Astley’s absence creates space for reflection, dialogue. He still leaves the light on in her bedroom at night, even though she won’t be coming home. Nearly nine months after the death of his daughter, Malcolm Astley is still learning to cope with his grief, and he is not alone. Both those who knew Lauren Astley personally and those who were moved by her story attended a gathering of friends in her memory Monday afternoon, led by Lauren’s parents and Chaplain Jan Fuller.

PX14 News 4/2/12: Learning through Tragedy. Reporter Mallory Lane has the story on how the family of Lauren Astley and Elon are raising awareness of relationship violence after her death.

Celebration of Life Fashion Show to Honor Lauren Astley. On Saturday, Nov. 26 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., there will be a celebration of life fashion show and silent auction to celebrate the life of Lauren Dunne Astley at Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland. The title of the event is “Keep on Sparkling: Moving Forward in the Spirit of Lauren Dunne Astley.”

Wayland Town Crier 11/9/2011: Coral ribbons around Wayland in memory of slain teen. The coral ribbons are mostly down. But the sparkle of Lauren Dunne Astley’s life is still fresh in the memory and love of her friends and family, both immediate and extended. Lauren, 18, who had just graduated from Wayland High School, was murdered in early July. Shortly afterwards, the town began sprouting coral bows on doors, lampposts, trees, mailboxes and fences. A Wayland mother, who prefers to remain anonymous, took the trouble to call Lauren’s friends and found out coral was her favorite color. A regular customer at Russell’s Garden Center in town, the woman suggested to the management and staff that they make bows of coral ribbons in memory of Lauren.