- By Bronwyn Jones and Rachael Lazaro
- BBC News
February 15, 2023 at 07:28 GMT
Updated 32 minutes ago
Image source, family handout
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Brianna Ghey was found injured in Linear Park, Culcheth and died at the scene
A boy and girl, both 15, have been charged with the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old who was stabbed to death in a village park.
The transgender schoolgirl was found injured on a path in Linear Park in Culcheth, Cheshire, on Saturday.
Brianna’s family said she is a “very beloved daughter, granddaughter and little sister.”
The Warrington girl and Leigh boy are later due to appear in Chester Magistrates’ Court.
Candlelit vigils organized by members of the transgender community were held for Brianna in Liverpool and Bristol on Tuesday.
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Crowds gathered outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Tuesday night
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People held placards reading “rest in power” at the vigil in tribute to Brianna
More vigils are later to be held in cities across the UK including Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds.
Brianna’s family, who hails from Birchwood in Warrington, said she was “beautiful, funny and hilarious”.
She is “strong, fearless and unique” with a “larger than life character”.
“The loss of her young life has left a huge hole in our family,” they added.
Members of the public found Brianna with stab wounds and called emergency services just after 3pm GMT on Saturday, Cheshire Police said.
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The police increased patrols in the area
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Flowers were left in Linear Park in Culcheth in memory of the teenager
Detectives previously said a post-mortem was being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Additional police patrols have been dispatched to the area, which is a known walking spot.
Friends have left flowers and other tributes at the park’s entrance. One read: “Fly high, our pink angel”.
Tributes were also paid to Brianna on social media and particularly on Tik Tok where she had a large following.
One message described her as a “sweet angel” and “beautiful girl”.
Donations to a GoFundMe crowdfunding page set up for Brianna’s family, which said the schoolgirl was “looking forward to taking her exams this year”, have surpassed £85,000.