Teenager, 17, charged with murder of girl, 15, stabbed to death in Croydon
Police at the scene in Croydon, south London, where a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death on Wednesday morning
PA
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear at youth court later today after being charged with murder and possession of a knife.
Officers were called to Wellesley Road at 8.30am on Wednesday.
Elianne was pronounced dead at the scene after being stabbed in the neck with a foot-long knife.
WATCH NOW: A 17-year-old was charged with the murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl
The 17-year-old was arrested in New Addington around 75-minutes after the incident.
Officers also recovered a knife in Cedar Road, around eight minutes away from where the fatal stabbing took place.
A vigil was held last night for the "intelligent and kind" schoolgirl.
Relatives arrived in several cars at 6pm before being escorted through the police cordon by officers.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A handout image of Elianne Andam from the Metropolitan Police
METROPOLITAN POLICE
Mother Dorcas Andam, an NHS children’s nurse, was consoled by husband Michael as they tried to “comprehend this painful tragedy”.
Croydon Bishop Rosemarie Mallett read a statement on behalf of the family which said: “We as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne.
“Our hearts are broken. And we are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief. Our faith in the Lord is strengthening us.
“We would like to express our gratitude to those who have taken the time to send us thoughtful and compassionate messages and prayers.
People arrive to lay flowers at the scene in Croydon
PA
“We kindly ask for your consideration to also respect our need for privacy as we attempt to come to grips with our deeply devastating loss.
“Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead of her.
“It is our request that you keep our cherished daughter Elianne and our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
A postmortem examination took place yesterday and the Metropolitan Police is making further inquiries to establish the exact relationship between the victim and suspect.