A candlelit vigil was held tonight for 15-year-old Elianne Andam who was stabbed on her way to school in Croydon last week.
Elianne, a pupil at the Old Palace of John Whitgift school was allegedly attacked at 8.30am on September 27 after she tried to protect a friend.
A teenager, 17, has been charged over the attack after allegedly refusing to hand over his ex-girlfriend’s possessions after she returned his, a hearing at the Old Bailey heard on Wednesday.
Elianne died on the pavement just minutes after the attack – despite the attempts of a bus driver and passers-by to save her life.
Tonight, hundreds of mourners lined the streets outside the Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon after the country was left shocked by the violent incident.
A candlelit vigil was held tonight for 15-year-old Elianne Andam who was stabbed on her way to school in Croydon last week
Tonight, hundreds of mourners lined the streets outside the Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon after the country was left shocked by last week’s attack
Elianne, a pupil at the Old Palace of John Whitgift school, was studying towards her GCSEs
The road was closed to allow space for the many who wished to say goodbye to Elianne as people gathered underneath a painting of the beloved teenager.
Tearful friends and members of the public left flowers, cards, photos, balloons and cuddly toys in her memory.
Attendees were encouraged to write in a book of condolences for Elianne’s family.
The flowers have reached seven rows deep, while anti-violence notes have been left reading: ‘Youth stop killing each other. No to stabbing. No to violence’ and ‘Why?’.
A short statement from Elianne’s family was read on their behalf by Bishop of Croydon Rosemarie Mallett.
She 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.
Floral tributes left outside the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, south London, ahead of a vigil for Elianne
The flowers left have reached seven rows deep, according to those at the vigil
Mourners remembered Elianne as they held candles in the evening vigil
People gathered underneath a picture of the beloved schoolgirl
Hundred attended the vigil and lined the streets of Croydon in south London
Tearful friends and members of the public left flowers, cards, photos, balloons and cuddly toys in her memory
The road was closed this evening to allow for enough space for the many wishing to attend the vigil
‘Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out, who loved Jesus. She was intelligent 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.’
A row spilt out of the number 60 bus outside the Whitgift Shopping Centre close to East Croydon station last Wednesday.
People have now charged a 17-year-old boy with murder and the possession of a knife.
The teenager appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, wearing a black sweater and grey jogging bottoms. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
Members of Elianne’s family sat in the well of the court during the half-hour long hearing.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a date for the plea hearing as December 19 and a provisional trial date of April 29 – also at the Old Bailey.
A port-mortem examination revealed the presence of multiple stab wounds.
Elianne was the 15th teenage victim of homicide in London so far this year.
People came from near and far to pay their respects to Elianne after the attack rocked the country
Police helped to distribute the flowers and tokens during the tearful vigil
Pictured is the scene of the attack after 15-year-old Elianne was stabbed last Wednesday
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
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