A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam in Croydon, south London.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing on Wellesley Road at about 8.30am on Wednesday. Elianne died at the scene. Later, Bishop Rosemarie Mallett read a statement on behalf of the family, with Elianne’s aunt Marian by her side. It said: “We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne. Our hearts are broken. And we are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief. Our faith in the Lord is strengthening us.
“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead of her. It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers.”