Elianne Andam: family of girl killed in Croydon
pay tribute to ‘light of our lives’
Boy, 17, remains in custody on suspicion of murder
after 15-year-old was stabbed during morning rush hour
Jamie
Grierson and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi
Thu 28 Sep
2023 19.09 BST
The parents
of a teenage girl stabbed during morning rush-hour have described her as the
“light of our lives” before visiting the site of her death in south London.
Elianne
Andam was named as the 15-year-old victim of the daylight attack on Wellesley
Road in Croydon on Wednesday morning.
A
17-year-old boy, whom the police said knew the victim, was arrested nearly five
miles away in New Addington on suspicion of murder just over an hour after the
attack. A 12-hour extension to his custody time limit was granted on Thursday.
The prime
minister, Rishi Sunak, told the BBC he was shocked and appalled by the attack.
On Thursday
evening, her parents, Michael and Dorcas Andam, appeared at the scene of the
stabbing accompanied by about 20 family members and friends. They stood behind
a police cordon and next to a bus stop, where a stationary number 60 bus has
been parked since the incident.
The family
were touching each other’s shoulders in support, hugging and consoling each
other, while some laid flowers alongside where it is believed she was stabbed,
all under the gaze of dozens of photographers and camera operators before
taking shelter in the Whitgift shopping centre.
Later,
Bishop Rosemarie Mallett read a statement on behalf of the family, with
Elianne’s aunt Marian by her side.
The
statement 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.
“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.
“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.”
Before they
appeared in Croydon, the family released a statement through the Metropolitan
police.
A
spokesperson for Elianne’s family said: “Our hearts are broken by the senseless
death of our daughter. Elianne was the light of our lives. 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’s
father is a writer of Christian teachings, while her mother works as an NHS
specialist nurse safeguarding children. Both are of Ghanaian heritage and are
active in the Christian community.
Croydon
church leaders have said a prayer for a 15-year-old girl who was stabbed to
death on her way to school on Wednesday.
Leading a
vigil next to the police cordon in south London where Elianne died, Bishop Mark
Nicholson from Acts Christian church said: “Our hearts are burning. It doesn’t
matter if you are related or not … Another life lost. In our city always,
majoring on knife crime. I don’t have the solution but I can pray to bring
solace. Not just one side of the family, both. Loads of things are going on in
their mind at the moment.”
More than
40 bunches of flowers and a number of cards and candles have been placed close
to where Elianne was stabbed. One card said: “Rest in peace angel, condolences
to your family at this very sad time.” Another said: “So sad your life is taken
away at your prime. You have touched my soul.”
DCI Rebecca
Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation continues
and we are making good progress. We have recovered CCTV from the area and have
spoken to a number of witnesses. Forensic scientists have also examined the
scene. From these inquiries we are now confident Elianne was attacked outside
in Wellesley Road near to the bus stop rather than onboard the bus.
“We know
many people were in the area at the time and would have witnessed the attack.
This would have been distressing and traumatic and I would encourage anyone who
needs support to contact us and we will help to arrange this.
“I know
that Elianne’s death has left many people feeling upset and I would like to
thank the people of Croydon for the support they have shown us as we have
carried out our inquiries in the town centre. I know this work has been
disruptive, however it has been vital and your patience is appreciated.”
A
postmortem examination was taking place on Thursday and further inquiries were
taking place to establish the exact relationship between the victim and
suspect, the Met said.
A large
police cordon was in place outside the Whitgift shopping centre on Wellesley
Road and a bus remained inside the cordon.
Anyone with
information has been asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD
1601/27Sep, and those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on
0800 555111 or online.
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