Thousands gather for candlelit vigil in hometown of trans murder victim Brianna Ghey, 16, as her family say they are ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘support’ from across the country
- Thousands gathered in Culcheth Linear Park tonight in honour of Brianna Ghey
- Mourners wwore ‘rest in power Brianna Ghey’ t-shirts featuring her picture
- Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his daughter attended the memorial
Thousands gathered at vigil tonight near the park where 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was murdered last week as they remembered and honoured the transgender teen.
Brianna was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park last Saturday afternoon. Police believe she was slain in a ‘targeted attack.’
Many of the mourners at tonight’s vigil wore ‘rest in power Brianna Ghey’ t-shirts with picture of her on the front. Crowds also sang Over The Rainbow.
Her family said they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘support, positivity and compassion’ from well-wishers located across the UK.
More memorials paying tribute to Brianna are set to take place over the weekend, including another held tomorrow in her home town of Warrington.
Hundreds gathered at vigil tonight near the park where 16-year-old Brianna Ghey (pictured) was murdered last week as they remembered and honoured the transgender teen
The vigil, one of dozens to have been organised across the UK, was attended by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (right)
A large crowd gathered at Culcheth Village Green in Warrington, Cheshire, tonight to remember the 16-year-old
Mourners from lit candles and laid flowers on the green as they built a memorial for Brianna
A large crowd gathered at Culcheth Village Green in Warrington, Cheshire, tonight to remember the 16-year-old.
Mourners from lit candles and laid flowers on the green as they built a memorial for Brianna.
The vigil, one of dozens to have been organised across the UK, was attended by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his daughter Annie.
He tweeted: ‘Here to remember Brianna, send our love to her family and support to young trans people everywhere.’
Tricia Anderton, 59, the secretary of Culcheth Village Choir, said: ‘We were very proud to play even just a small part of this evening’s vigil for Brianna.
‘We are a very close community in Culcheth, with many of our choir members having lived in the village for many years and this awful tragedy has touched the hearts of everyone.
‘We were asked specifically to sing Over The Rainbow, and it was so lovely to hear everyone joining in. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna’s family and friends.’
Members of the public also gathered outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham this evening, with other vigils taking place in Southampton, Nottingham and Edinburgh.
In a statement released via the police, Brianna’s family said they had been ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘support, positivity and compassion’ from across the country.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Waller, ahead of the vigil, thanked the community of Culcheth for its support and said officers had been ‘inundated’ with information.
He said: ‘I know that the family have also been overwhelmed by the messages of support, positivity and the compassion across the country and beyond – and the thoughts of everyone at the constabulary remain firmly with them.’
Members of the public also gathered outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham this evening (pictured)
Members of the public attend a candle-lit vigil outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham this evening (pictured) in memory of transgender teenager Brianna Ghey
Brianna’s family said they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘support, positivity and compassion’ from well-wishers located across the UK. Pictured: The candle-lit vigil outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham this evening
More memorials paying tribute to Brianna are set to take place over the weekend, including another held tomorrow in her home town of Warrington. Pictured: Mourners in Birmingham on Friday night
A vigil honouring Brianna Ghey is held at The Millennium Bell Tower in St. Martin’s Square this evening
Brianna was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Culcheth Linear Park last Saturday afternoon. Police believe she was slain in a ‘targeted attack.’ Pictured: Mourners honouring Brianna at a vigil in Birmingham this evening
A boy and a girl, both 15, were charged with Brianna’s murder on Wednesday. The girl, from Warrington, and boy, from Leigh, cannot be named for legal reasons.
The pair appeared via separate videolinks for a hearing Liverpool Crown Court yesterday where a trial date was fixed for July.
They are both being held in youth detention accommodation and were both accompanied by an adult.
The teenagers spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth.
The girl’s parents and the boy’s mother were in the public gallery for the hearing, which lasted just under half an hour, and both mothers appeared tearful.
Judge David Aubrey KC fixed a trial date for July 10, with the case expected to last about three weeks.
He remanded them both into youth detention accommodation ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 2.