Brianna Ghey: boy, 15, from Greater Manchester charged with murder and city centre candlelit vigil to be held

Brianna Ghey was just 16 when she was fatally stabbed in Culcheth Linear Park - now vigils are being held for her as the police murder investigation continues.
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A teenager from Greater Manchester has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Ghey whose body was found in Culcheth Linear Park at the weekend.

Brianna’s body was found with multiple stab wounds on a path at the green space on Saturday (February 11).

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Cheshire Police has now confirmed that two teenagers who were arrested on suspicion of murdering Brianna, a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, have been charged and one of them, a 15-year-old boy, is from Leigh in Greater Manchester. The force says it is following all lines of enquiry, including the possibility that Brianna was killed in a hate crime.

A candlelit vigil is being held in Manchester this evening (Wednesday 15 February) for Brianna, one of a number of similar acts of remembrance which are currently taking place around the country.

What has been said by police and Brianna’s family about her murder?

Cheshire Police arrested two teenagers on suspicion of murder and has now confirmed that both have been charged. One of them is a 15-year-old boy from Leigh while the other is a 15-year-old girl from Warrington.

The force has confirmed it has not ruled out the possibility that Brianna’s death was a hate crime, saying it was exploring “all lines of enquiry”.

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A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against both 15-year-olds are now active and that they have the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Following her death, Brianna‘s family paid tribute to her, calling her “beautiful, witty and hilarious.”

They said: “Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger than life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her.

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“Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.

“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.

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this extremely difficult time.”

A candlelit vigil for Brianna Ghey in Manchester city centre

Manchester residents will have the chance to pay tribute to Brianna and to share their grief at her murder at a candlelit vigil which is taking place in Sackville Gardens tonight (Wednesday 15 February) at 7pm.

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Vigll organisers said online that they wanted to bring the community together to show “respect for her tragically short life”.

Vigils organised by the transgender community for LGBTQ+ people and allies have already taken place in Bristol and Liverpool, and others are planned for cities including Glasgow and Leeds.

A fund-raiser has also been launched for Brianna’s funeral, raising tens of thousands of pounds in memory of her within the first 24 hours.