Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who was found stabbed to death in a park in Warrington.
A 15-year-old girl, from Warrington, and a 15-year-old boy, from Leigh, were this morning charged over the ‘targeted attack’ on the schoolgirl.
Cheshire Constabulary yesterday confirmed that detectives investigating the killing had been granted a 30-hour extension to question the suspects.
The trans schoolgirl, described as ‘fearless’ by her family, was found with multiple stab wounds in the Warrington park on Saturday afternoon and died shortly after.
The two 15-year-olds will appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court later today.
Brianna Ghey, 16, was stabbed to death in broad daylight in a Warrington park on Saturday
Brianna was described by her family as ‘strong, fearless and one of a kind’
Crowds gathered outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool to hold a vigil for Brianna Ghey last night
On Tuesday night a series of vigils took place in Warrington and Bristol in memory of the teenager, whose family is from Birchwood, Cheshire.
Members of the LGBT+ community held pride and transgender flags and signs such as ‘Rest in Power’ and ‘Rest in Love’.
The Warrington vigil was organised by Brianna’s friends.
Mourners at College Green in the central Bristol played music and laid photos of the 16-year-old at the vigil.
Vigils organised by members of the transgender community are also due to be held in cities including London, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast in the coming days.
In a tribute issued on behalf of her family, they said the teenager was a ‘much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister’.
It added: ‘She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.
‘Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.
Friends of Brianna are said to be ‘distraught’ by her death, with one father telling MailOnline his daughter was traumatised
Dozens of floral tributes have been laid at the entrance to the park where Brianna died
Many attending the vigil brought placards with messages such as ‘Rest in Love’
Many also attended a candlelit vigil in Bristol to mourn the death of the transgender teenager
‘The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.’
Brianna was found by members of the public as she lay wounded on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth, at around 3.13pm, and died a short time later.
In recent days, devastated classmates from Birchwood Community High School have laid flowers and tributes close to where she was found.
A police officer stands next to floral tributes at the entrance to Linear Park where 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was found
Police at the scene in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, shortly after the attack on Saturday
Damian Harry, whose 15-year-old daughter was in Brianna’s class and was friends with her, told MailOnline: ‘My daughter is distraught at Brianna’s death. She is so upset and has been throwing up with the trauma of it.’
Emma Mills, headteacher of the school, told The Sun the Birchwood community is ‘shocked and truly devastated’ by Brianna’s death.
‘This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community,’ Ms Mills said.
Donations on a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend to raise money for Brianna’s funeral has surpassed £85,000.
On Tuesday, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said: ‘I’ve seen a large volume of misinformation being shared and speculation about the events, including attempts to identify the suspects – this is illegal and you risk prosecution doing so.
‘I understand we all want answers about what happened, but please understand how distressing this is for Brianna’s family and friends, and that this behaviour risks undermining efforts to get justice for her.
‘Let the police do their job and give Brianna’s loved ones the space they need to grieve.’
Detectives earlier said a post-mortem examination was taking place to establish the cause of death.
The two 15-year-olds will appear in court later today.
MailOnline has contacted Brianna’s school for comment.
