Elianne Andam: Family's 'hearts are broken' by 'senseless' death in Croydon stabbing

At a vigil for Elianne Andam, her family said their 'hearts are broken' after the 15-year-old was stabbed to death on her way to school - ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger reports

The family of a 15-year-old girl stabbed to death on her way to school have said their "hearts are broken" during a vigil in which they paid tribute to "the light of [their] lives".

Elianne Andam was wounded in the neck after getting off a bus in on Wellesley Road in Croydon, south London, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, with members of the public rushing to try to save her.

On Thursday evening, her family visited the scene as crowds gathered outside the police cordon and prayers were said.

A large group of relatives could be seen next to a bus stop, inside the cordon, where Elianne died. Credit: PA

A statement was read out by a church leader on behalf of the family at the edge of the crime scene.

"We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne," it said.

"Our hearts are broken and we are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief. Our faith in the Lord is strengthening us.

"We would like to express our gratitude to those who have taken the time to send us thoughtful and compassionate messages and prayers.

"We kindly ask for your consideration to also respect our need for privacy as we attempt to come to grips with our deeply devastating loss."

A bus driver and a passer-by were seen desperately trying to save Elianne Andam. Credit: Met Police

Describing Elianne, her family said: "She was bright and funny, with many friends who all adored her. She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.

"All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives have fallen apart, along with that of our wider family.

"We ask the media to please respect our privacy as we try to grieve the short life of our beautiful child."

Elianne was a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift School - a private girls' school in Croydon - where her friends were said to be "sobbing" and "so emotional".

The school said in a statement: "We are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil.

"It will take some time for the Old Palace community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer support to our pupils as we try to do so."

Donna Murray-Turner, chairwoman of the local Safer Neighbourhood Board, said: "Staff, teachers, talked about when she entered a room you knew she was there. And her friends, as you can imagine, were sobbing. They were so emotional."

She added that a meeting will be held at Croydon Town Hall on Monday at 6pm, where the agenda will be about violence against women and girls.

People arrive to lay flowers at the scene in Croydon. Credit: PA

Dozens of bunches of flowers have been left at the scene with touching messages to the teenager.

A handwritten note from a year 11 pupil said: "May she rest in peace. She will always be remembered."

Another message read: "Sorry we live in this crazy world this makes no sense. "Fly high up there my mummy will look after you. RIP beautiful, forever young, taken too soon."

Croydon resident Adama Dumbuya, 30, added: "It's just really sad. She was such a lovely little girl. I’m a parent myself.

"She was just really lovely the few times I’ve met her. She's just a very nice girl and very polite.

"She helped a lot to look after her brother. I just can't imagine what he is going to be like. She had a little brother.

"I know they were so close. She always looked after him. He is going to be so heartbroken."

Tributes at the scene in Croydon, where a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death. Credit: PA

A 17-year-old boy, who knew the victim, was arrested just over an hour after the attack. He remains in police custody after officers were given more time to question him.

Anthony King, chairman of My Ends - a project helping combat youth violence in Croydon - said the arrested boy had been known to local community groups for the past couple of years.

Witnesses said the girl and her alleged attacker were not in a relationship.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: "My thoughts and the thoughts of my team are with Elianne's family.

"This is a deeply upsetting time for them and we will do everything we can to support them."

She said officers are making "good progress" in their investigation and are confident the attack happened near the bus stop rather than on a bus.

Forensic officers seen on the bus in Croydon. Credit: PA

In an interview with ITV News, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said her death was "absolutely shocking" and he was as appalled as anyone.

Mr Sunak added: "The idea that a young girl, not that much older than my own daughters could just be robbed of her life completely innocent on her way to school is horrific and I’m sure everyone will be as appalled about it as I am.

"But I'm also angry that something like that happened and that’s why for the most heinous crimes that people commit in our country they should just be locked up for life.

"That's what people want to see, that's what we are going to deliver. It's the only way to make sure people face the justice they deserve when they do awful things.

"I recently met with The Met Commissioner to talk about knife crime because the government recently outlined a bunch of new powers to go further to tackle knife crime. 

"That's making sure we can give police the powers they need to confiscate knives. 

"We're toughening up the sentencing for the people who commit these crimes and we've given police powers like stop and search which means they can confiscate and they have over 100,000 knives off our streets.

"We must keep going to stamp out this awful scourge."

Police officers were visibly emotional as they laid flowers at the scene. Credit: PA

Emergency services were called to Wellesley Road at around 8.30am but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene 50 minutes later.

A bus driver and a passer-by were seen desperately trying to save the girl before emergency services arrived, with police at the scene within two minutes.

A mother of two, who wanted to be named only as Bridget, said: "I was on the bus before and came off and walked back down, I saw them resuscitating her.

"The driver was holding her, and a lady. The emergency services were already here when I walked back."

She said two other schoolgirls, believed to be the victim’s friends, were trying to get through the police cordon but were held back.

Met Police Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain told reporters at the scene: "This is every parent's worst nightmare, and I know the officers who responded this morning, along with our emergency service colleagues, are devastated at the victim’s death.

"This is an emotion I share and I know people across Croydon will be feeling the same.

"The victim's family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at what must be an incredibly difficult time."

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 1601/27Sep, and to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.

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