The family of a 16-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in a park described her as “strong, fearless, and unique.”
On Saturday, Brianna Ghey was discovered injured and lying on a path in Linear Park in Culcheth, Cheshire.
Her relatives eulogized her as a “beloved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister” and lamented that her passing had left a “massive void”
Brianna was a transgender girl, but according to the detectives, there was no evidence that the crime was motivated by bias.
A 15-year-old boy and girl have been arrested on suspicion of murdering her.
Cheshire Police stated that the suspects are locals who remain in custody.
The family Brianna, who is from the nearby town of Birchwood, described her as “beautiful, witty, and hilarious.”
“She was a larger-than-life personality who would leave a lasting impression on all who met her,” they continued.
Our family is devastated by her death, as are her instructors and friends.
In addition to expressing gratitude for the public’s support, they stated, “The continued respect for [our] privacy is greatly appreciated.”
Det Ch Supt. Mike Evans said authorities were investigating “precise circumstances” through numerous lines of inquiry.”
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that Brianna’s death was motivated by hatred,” he explained.
Emma Mills, the principal of Brianna’s high school, Birchwood Community High, stated, “We are shocked and heartbroken.
“This is, understandably, a very difficult and distressing time for many. And we will do everything in our power to support our students and the larger school community.”
Flowers and other tributes have been left by Brianna’s friends at the entrance of the park where she died.
One interpretation is “Fly high, our pink angel”
As she left her memorial, a young girl in her school uniform and accompanied by her father wept while shedding tears.
Two additional 16-year-olds claim they spoke to Brianna in the days preceding her death and are startled by her death.
Several vans and police cars are visible in the adjacent streets, indicating that there is still a great deal of police activity here.
Brianna has also been remembered on social media, particularly on Tik Tok, where she had a massive following. She was referred to in one message as a “lovely angel” and a “beautiful girl.”
The LGBTQ+ rights organization Stonewall stated in a tweet, “Our thoughts are with Brianna Ghey, a young trans lady, and her family. We urge anyone with information that could aid the authorities in their investigations to come forward.”
Also on Twitter, Labour MP, Jess Phillips described Brianna’s death as “utterly terrible” and expressed her condolences to her parents for their “unimaginable loss.”
Earlier, police stated that an autopsy was planned and that they were still searching for the murder weapon. They are also investigating the attack’s motivation.
Extra patrols have been dispatched to the area, which is a popular site for dog walking.
Cheshire Police has requested witnesses and anyone with CCTV or dashcam evidence to contact them.
