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As it happenedended

Brianna Ghey – latest: Boy and girl appear in court charged with murder of trans teenager

Charges come as vigils held across UK to mourn loss of teenager

Emily Atkinson,Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Wednesday 15 February 2023 14:53 EST
Teenage girl found dead in Cheshire park named as Brianna Ghey

Two teenagers have been remanded into youth detention after appearing at Chester Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Brianna Ghey.

The 15-year-old girl from Warrington, and a 15-year-old boy from Leigh, were not required to enter pleas to the charge.

Prosecutor Leanne Gallagher told the court Brianna’s death was “extremely brutal and punishing”.

Cheshire Police are exploring whether the teenager, who was a transgender girl, was the victim of a hate crime.

Detectives initially said there was no evidence to suggest the transgender teenager’s killing in Warrington, Cheshire on Saturday was “hate-related”.

Meanwhile, vigils have been held in a number of UK cities to mourn the loss of the 16-year-old.

Crowds gathered in Liverpool and Bristol on Tuesday night to pay tribute to Brianna, who was stabbed to death in a park at the weekend.

A GoFundMe appeal raising money for the teenager’s grieving family has already raised more than £70,000.

‘Bullied’ Brianna Ghey said she was excluded from school in TikTok days before killing

Brianna Ghey claimed she was excluded from school in a TikTok post just days before being stabbed to death, as friends of the late trans teen said she was bullied “for years”.

The 16-year-old, from Birchwood in Warrington, Cheshire, was found by members of the public as she lay wounded on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth, at around 3.13pm on Saturday. A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A clip was posted to Brianna’s popular TikTok channel days before the incident with the caption: “Got excluded from school.”

Brianna Ghey: Teenage trans girl's final TikTok videos before she was stabbed to death in park
Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 18:00

‘Brianna Ghey’s death was a tragedy waiting to happen'

Barrister Robin Moira White writes: “The stabbing of teenager Brianna Ghey in Warrington is a terrible tragedy for her family and my heart goes out to them.

“It is not clear whether the fact that she was trans was a factor in the events in Linear Park, Warrington, but shock at her death has rippled through the trans community.

“I cannot help but feel this kind of tragedy was waiting to happen. Anyone who followed the Conservative leadership contest will have seen the candidates vying with each other to stoke “debate” over trans people’s lives; and such sentiment is something I, as Britain’s only trans discrimination barrister, have to cope with every day.”

Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 19:14

Vigil held for Brianna in Liverpool

Wellwishers are attending a candle-lit vigil outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool, in memory of Brianna tonight.

(PA)
(PA)
Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 19:45

Candlelit vigil for Brianna Ghey held in Bristol to remember schoolgirl

Hundreds of people gathered to remember Brianna Ghey in Bristol o Tuesday evening.

The 16-year-old, who was transgender, was stabbed to death in a park in Cheshire on Saturday.

Cheshire Police have said they are pursuing all lines of inquiry, including whether it was a hate crime, following her death.

Vigils have been planned across the country to remember the schoolgirl.

On Bristol’s College Green, people lit candles to pay their respects to the “much-loved daughter.”

Vigil for Brianna Ghey held in Bristol
Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 23:27

Killing of transgender teenager investigated as potential hate crime

Police investigating the fatal stabbing of 16 year-old Brianna Ghey have said they are now looking at whether it was a hate crime.

Detectives initially said there was no evidence to suggest the transgender teenager’s killing in Warrington, Cheshire on Saturday was “hate-related”.

Now Cheshire Police have said they are exploring all lines of inquiry, including whether it was a hate crime.

In a statement on Tuesday, the force said: “Police investigating the murder of Brianna Ghey have been granted an extension of 30 hours to further question two suspects – a boy and a girl, both aged 15.

“All lines of enquiry are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime. Please continue to avoid speculation online and be wary of sharing misinformation relating to this case.”

(Getty Images)
Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 23:30

We’re pausing our live coverage of the investigation into Brianna Ghey’s killing for the day, but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.

Sam Rkaina14 February 2023 23:35

Two teenagers charged with murder of trans girl Brianna Ghey

A 15-year-old girl from Warrington and a 15-year-old boy from Leigh have been charged with the murder of 16-year-old trans girl Brianna Ghey.

Police confirmed the news on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday Cheshire Police investigating the fatal stabbing said they are now looking at whether it was a hate crime.

Detectives initially said there was no evidence to suggest the transgender teenager’s killing in Warrington, Cheshire on Saturday was “hate-related”.

The teenager, from Birchwood in Warrington, was found by members of the public as she lay wounded on a path in Linear Park, Culcheth, at around 3.13pm on Saturday.

Two teenagers charged with murder of trans girl Brianna Ghey

Police were exploring whether Brianna, who was a transgender girl, was the victim of a hate crime

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 07:53

‘Bullied’ Brianna Ghey said she was excluded from school in TikTok days before killing

In case you missed it...

A teenager who was stabbed to death in a park on Saturday said just days before her death that she had been excluded from school.

A clip was posted to Brianna’s TikTok channel days before she died with the caption: “Got excluded from school.”

Brianna had a large fanbase online, with around 31,000 followers on her since-deactivated TikTok channel. Her videos typically featured her dancing and lip-syncing to pop songs.

In many of her clips she was seen wearing a Birchwood Community High School uniform. Friends claimed she endured cruel treatment by fellow pupils, with one telling The Sun “she had been bullied in school for years”.

‘Bullied’ Brianna Ghey said she was excluded from school in TikTok days before death

Schoolgirl was subject to bullying for years say friends as police probe possible ‘hate crime’

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 08:39

Fundraiser for grieving family of Brianna Ghey beats target twenty times over

A fundraising appeal to support the family of a 16 year-old stabbed to death in a park has raised more than £87,000.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help the loved ones of Brianna Ghey with funeral costs after she was tragically killed in Cheshire on Saturday.

The crowdfunding page was set up by Victoria Potter, who described the teenager as “an outgoing, confident girl.”

So far, the appeal has raised £87,056, far more than the £4,216 goal.

“She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her,” Ms Potter wrote. “She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world.

“We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time. We need your support to help them with funeral costs (we want to make this pink and colourful to match her personality) and ask if you can spare anything no matter how small to try to relieve their stress and allow them to grieve their beautiful daughter.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 09:37

Hundreds gather in Liverpool for Brianna Ghey vigil

Crowds gathered in Liverpool and Bristol on Tuesday night to pay tribute to Brianna, who was stabbed to death in a park at the weekend.

Hundreds gather in Liverpool for Brianna Ghey vigil
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 February 2023 10:41

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