17-year-old boy charged with murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam

Watch: Witness describes emergency response after Croydon stabbing

What is happening?

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, who was stabbed to death as she walked to school in Croydon.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear in the youth court, sitting at Croydon Magistrates' Court, on Friday. He was also charged with possession of a knife.

Elianne was injured in the neck on Wellesley Road around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. She died on the spot.

The teenager's family visited the scene Thursday evening as a vigil was held for her.

A large group of relatives, some embracing each other, could be seen next to a bus stop, inside the police cordon, as flowers were left on the ground.

A statement read by a church official on behalf of the family said: “As a family we are struggling to understand this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne. Our hearts are broken.

“And we are overwhelmed with sorrow and sorrow. Our faith in the Lord strengthens us.

He added: “We would like to express our gratitude to those who took the time to send us thoughtful and compassionate messages and prayers.

“We ask that you also please respect our need for privacy as we try to come to terms with our deeply devastating loss.

“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, caring, kind and had a bright future ahead of her. We ask that you keep our beloved daughter Elianne and our family, in your thoughts and prayers.”

Who was the victim?

The family of Elianne Andam, 15, had already paid tribute to their “bright and funny” daughter.

In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, a spokesperson for her 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 him.

Her family added in the statement: “She was only 15 years old and had her whole life ahead of her, with hopes and dreams for the future.

“All those dreams have now been shattered. Our lives fell apart, along with those of our extended family. We ask the media to respect our privacy as we try to mourn the short life of our beautiful child.

Tributes to the victim

Dozens of bouquets of flowers were left at the scene of the teenager's death, amid widespread shock at the tragedy.

One of the cards left near the scene of the attack read: “Sorry, we live in this crazy world, this doesn't make any sense.”

“Fly up there, my mom will take care of you. RIP beautiful, still young, taken too soon.

“Thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends, God bless. »

On Thursday, the police officers who were among the first on the scene and who fought to try to save Elianne's life seemed visibly moved as they laid flowers in tribute.

Among the floral tributes, cards and candles, a message read: “Rest in peace little princess so sad to have your life taken from you at your peak. You touched my soul.

Elianne was a pupil at John Whitgift's Old Palace School, a private girls' school in Croydon, which paid tribute to her “valuable friend and pupil” and also saw well-wishers leave flowers and tributes.

The school said in a statement Wednesday that it was “deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our beloved and valued friend and student.”

The statement added: “It will take some time for the Vieux Palais community to come to terms with this terrible news, and we will offer our support to our students in this work.

“Above all, we send our love and deepest condolences to the girl’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Elianne's friends were said to have been “in tears” and “so emotional” at her school on Thursday, Donna Murray-Turner, chair of the local Safer Neighborhood Council, said after visiting the school, where she said messages in a book of condolences “speak your laughter”.

She added: “The staff, the teachers, talked about the moment she walked into a room, you knew she was there. And his friends, as you can imagine, were sobbing. They were so moved.

Murray-Turner added that a meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday at Croydon Town Hall, the agenda of which will focus on violence against women and girls.

Anthony King, chairman of My Ends, a project helping to tackle youth violence in Croydon, described Elianne as an “absolutely incredible young lady” and told how others called her “jovial, very comical”.

Knife crime in London

On Friday, a man in his thirties was seriously injured in a knife attack just 800 meters from where schoolgirl Elianne Andam was killed. Earlier this week, another stabbing took place near Croydon College. be linked.

Met Police data showed there were 211 “knife crime with injury” offenses in Croydon between August 2022 and 2023 – the highest number in any London borough.

When the data takes population size into account, Croydon ranks 10th in the capital with 0.5 'knife crime with injury' offenses per 1,000 people.

Chief Superintendent Brittain described the incident as “every parent’s worst nightmare” and said he and his officers were “devastated” by the victim’s death.

Anthony King, chairman of My Ends – a project helping to tackle youth violence in Croydon – described Elianne as an “absolutely incredible young lady” and told how others called her “jovial, very comical”.

He also said the arrested boy had been known to local community groups for some years.

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

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