Lainie Williams’ heartbroken mum says reminiscences of ‘murdered’ teen will replay in her head
Rhian Stephens was injured in a knife attack at her South Wales home which left her ‘beautiful’ daughter, Lainie Williams dead – 18-year-old Cameron Cheng has since been charged with murder
A heartbroken mum has said memories of her daughter will forever “replay in her head” as she paid tribute to her “beautiful girl” who was fatally stabbed. Lainie Williams, 17, was discovered dead at her home in Cefn Fforest, South Wales, on November 13.
Her mum, Rhian Stephens, 38, sustained serious injuries in the horror attack, but has since been released from hospital. Officers rushed to a property on Wheatley Place at approximately 7.15am following reports that two people had suffered serious injuries.
Lainie was tragically pronounced dead a short time later. Now in a post shared on social media, Rhian said: “I’m still coming to terms with the tragic loss of my beautiful girl Lainie Lea Louise. I knew you better than most and the memories we share will always be able to replay in my head like my personal home video”, reports the Mirror.
“I miss sneaking in your bed and watching horror movies or trying to solve the cases of Law and Order! I miss you coming to give me a kiss goodnight every night without fail, telling me you love me and wrapping your arms round me and mine around you and telling you that I was so proud of you and you’re beautiful.
“I miss you more every single day, I just want you back. I lost my most prized possession, you! The home we’d made for you, me and your brother isn’t our home anymore, it’s a crime scene. Both your brother and myself are left with nothing but the clothes on our backs.
“In the summer you’re going to be a soft, cool breeze. Autumn you’ll be that gentle gust of wind rustling the leaves, in the spring you’ll be the first little daisy that blooms and in the winter you’ll be the heat in my heart. Your mamma misses you baby girl xxxxxxxx.”
Lainie’s cousin Megan also penned a tribute saying: “There’s not enough words, rest peacefully our brave and beautiful cousin Lainie. Very fond childhood memories I’ll cherish forever. You were and still are so loved.”
Meanwhile, Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams stated: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have unfolded. As councillors, we’d like to do our best to reassure everyone, and our thoughts are with the family at this time… When a young girl loses her life like that, it’s quite horrendous.”
Following the heartbreaking incident, Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend of Gwent Police stated: “We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this investigation. It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.”
She added, “Even though we’ve reached this significant development in the investigation, our enquiries continue so it is likely that residents will continue to see officers in the area. So if anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.”
Cameron Cheng, 18, appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on November 18 charged with murdering Lainie. Cheng, of Newbridge, Gwent, is also accused of the attempted murder of Ms Stephens, 38, and possession of a bladed article.
Speaking via video link from prison, Cheng, who is a British national, only spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, scheduled a trial date for May 11, 2026, with a duration estimate of two to three weeks.
